Israel is going to send a delegation to Qatar for truce negotiations on Gaza, but has firmly turned down Hamas’s suggested alterations. The office of PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that Israel would participate in proximity talks on the basis of a Qatari proposal, which Israel had already accepted.
However, it was made explicit that Hamas’s new demands were “unacceptable.” The development came after renewed diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States, to bring an end to the months-long conflict in Gaza.
Hamas Gives Signal of Willingness
Hamas said on Friday evening that it would be willing to begin immediate negotiations on the basis of a US-supported ceasefire proposal. The news presented a moment of convergence between both sides in almost 21 months of conflict. Nonetheless, tensions soon reemerged when Hamas conveyed modifications to the initial Qatari model.
Israel reacted with a strong position. “The adjustments Hamas is trying to implement in the Qatari plan were communicated to us last night and are not acceptable to Israel,” Netanyahu’s office added. Nevertheless, it asserted that negotiations would continue in Qatar from Sunday.
Netanyahu Greenlights Talks, Eyes US Visit
Under the official statement, PM Netanyahu directed his delegation to take part in proximity talks. “The negotiating team will depart tomorrow (Sunday) for the Qatar talks,” the statement stated.
The Israeli delegation will pursue contacts aimed at freeing hostages, a key agenda for Netanyahu’s government. The talks will stick to the initial Qatari offer, which Israel has already accepted.
At the same time, Netanyahu will visit Washington on Monday to meet with US President Donald Trump. The US administration has also stepped up efforts in an attempt to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, particularly following a recent Iran-Israel truce agreement.
Trump Exercises Pressure
Trump has promised to adopt a hardline stance during Netanyahu’s visit. He is counting on the momentum of easing tensions with Iran to spill over into Gaza. America believes the Doha-hosted negotiations represent a crucial moment to bring the havoc in the Palestinian land to an end.
Even with diplomatic progress, the divide between Israel and Hamas is large. With Hamas making new demands and Israel creating red lines, the Qatar talks could be in serious trouble even before they start.
But with increasing international frustration and humanitarian worries building, both sides feel pressure to meet somewhere in the middle — or risk further escalation.