Egypt Daily News – Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a significant setback as both the United States and Israel pulled back their negotiating teams for further consultations. The move follows what officials described as an unsatisfactory response from Hamas to the latest ceasefire proposal.
U.S. Middle East peace envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that Washington has recalled its delegation from Doha, citing Hamas’ continued reluctance to agree to a ceasefire deal.
“We decided to bring our team back from Doha for consultations following Hamas’ latest response, which clearly indicates a lack of willingness to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza,” Witkoff said in a statement posted on the social media platform X. “We are now considering alternative options to bring the hostages home.”
The withdrawal of the American delegation was mirrored by a similar move from Israel. On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel’s negotiating team was also returning from ceasefire talks for further deliberations in light of Hamas’ reply.
While Israeli officials expressed appreciation to international mediators for their ongoing efforts, the decision to pause the talks comes amid growing frustration over Hamas’ latest demands. According to Israeli sources, Hamas included a condition in its response that would bar Israel from resuming military operations if no long-term agreement is reached during the proposed 60-day truce.
The ceasefire negotiations, which have been facilitated by mediators in Qatar and Egypt, are aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza and securing the release of hostages still held in the enclave. However, progress has remained elusive despite months of international pressure and humanitarian urgency.
Both Hamas and the Israeli government are facing mounting pressure domestically and globally to reach a resolution. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened dramatically, with widespread hunger, destroyed infrastructure, and a health system on the brink of collapse. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned of famine-like conditions, and images from the besieged Palestinian territory have triggered widespread concern and condemnation.
As negotiations stall, the humanitarian cost continues to climb, intensifying calls for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. For now, however, the path to peace remains uncertain, with key stakeholders reassessing their positions and the next steps in a crisis that shows no sign of abating.
