As the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip enters its seventh month, evolving into a potential direct conflict between Israel and Iran, the focus remains on the mediation talks. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced today, Wednesday, that the negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of detainees are at a sensitive stage. He added that efforts are being made to overcome obstacles, without providing further details. Sheikh Mohammed condemned the policy of collective punishment that Israel continues to implement in Gaza and the escalation in the West Bank.
During a press conference in Doha, he stated: "Unfortunately, the negotiations are fluctuating between progress and setbacks, and we are currently in a sensitive stage with some setbacks," adding, "We are trying as much as possible to address this setback and move forward to put an end to the suffering of the people in Gaza while also securing the release of the captives."
This announcement follows days of uncertainty surrounding the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, after the movement submitted its response to the mediators, reaffirming its demands, which Israel considered a rejection of the American proposal. After six rounds of marathon negotiations, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have not succeeded in reaching an agreement between Hamas and Israel.
The ongoing negotiations are based on a three-phase agreement framework that was reached in a meeting held in Paris, attended by the heads of intelligence from Egypt, the United States, and Israel, along with the Qatari Prime Minister. The negotiations have moved from Paris to Cairo and Doha, and back to Paris, whether directly or indirectly, hoping to reach a truce during Ramadan and then during the Eid, but so far, they have not resulted in an agreement.
The last round of negotiations took place in Cairo last week, during which U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns proposed an American tranquility plan that was delivered to Hamas. The proposal stipulates a six-week ceasefire during which 40 Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for the release of 800 to 900 Palestinians detained by Israel, the entry of 400 to 500 trucks of food aid daily, and the return of displaced persons from northern Gaza to their towns.
