Qatari PM Says Gaza Ceasefire Efforts Have Gone Nowhere
Efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Qatar have hit a dead end, at least for now. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed Tuesday that the recent rounds of talks in Doha have not yielded any progress, pointing to what he called a “fundamental gap” between the two sides.
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"One party is looking for a partial deal that might lead to a comprehensive agreement, while the other wants a one-time deal to end the war and secure the release of all hostages," Al Thani said at a press briefing during the Qatar Economic Forum. "We couldn’t bridge this fundamental gap with whatever proposals we provided."
Talks in Doha Stall Despite Ongoing Negotiations
Negotiations have been happening in Doha over the past few weeks, but progress has been minimal. Hamas claimed Tuesday that Israel has not been serious about the talks, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the process without genuine engagement.
According to a Hamas statement, Netanyahu’s team has been extending its stay in Doha “on a day-to-day basis” without making any meaningful effort to negotiate. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Hamas has rejected a U.S.-backed proposal aimed at bringing the hostages home.
After nearly a week of back-and-forth in Qatar, Israel announced that senior members of its negotiating team would return to Tel Aviv for consultations. However, some of the team will remain in Doha to keep the door open for further dialogue.
Israeli Military Steps Up Ground Offensive
While ceasefire talks stall, the situation on the ground in Gaza continues to worsen. On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new and extensive ground operation, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, targeting both northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
The renewed offensive has triggered global concern. Leaders from the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement on Monday urging Israel to halt military actions and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning they would take “further concrete actions” if those calls are ignored.
Diplomatic Fallout Begins
Following the statement, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the UK is suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and will impose sanctions on extremist West Bank settlers. “Despite our efforts, this Israeli government's egregious actions and rhetoric have continued,” Lammy said on Tuesday.
Netanyahu responded sharply, accusing Western leaders of rewarding Hamas by calling for an end to what he describes as Israel’s “defensive war for survival.”
"The war can end tomorrow if the hostages are freed, Hamas is disarmed, and Gaza is demilitarized," Netanyahu said. "No country would accept less and Israel won’t either."
The Israeli Foreign Ministry echoed that sentiment, saying external pressure will not stop Israel from defending itself.
What’s Next?
With talks at a standstill and military operations intensifying, the road to a Gaza ceasefire appears more complicated than ever. Qatar remains a key mediator, but unless the two sides can close the wide gap in their demands, peace still seems far off.