Indirect Hamas-Israel Talks Continue in Doha Amid Doubts Over Truce Extension
Negotiations in Qatar continue as Hamas demands a full ceasefire while Israel pushes for a limited hostage deal. Doubts grow over Israel’s commitment to de-escalation.
Watan-The indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel continue in the Qatari capital, Doha, under the supervision of mediators, aiming to extend the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This comes after the arrival of U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff, amid doubts over Israel’s willingness to proceed with previously agreed de-escalation phases.
Hamas: We Have Shown Flexibility
In a statement issued by its spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou, Hamas stated it is “awaiting new steps” from the Doha negotiations to move forward with the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire implementation.
Al-Qanou accused Israel of reneging on the ceasefire agreement, saying this contradicts international will and mediator efforts aimed at stabilizing the truce and ending the war.
He emphasized that Hamas has shown flexibility and engaged positively in all negotiation phases and remains committed to compelling Israel to honor the agreement and fulfill the demands of the Palestinian people.
“We are waiting for new steps from the Doha negotiations to proceed with the second phase, resume aid entry, and ensure an end to the war.”
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have continued pressuring Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire without progressing to the second phase, which would require a full Israeli commitment to ending the war.
Israeli Pressure and Internal Disputes
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated:
“A deadline must be set for the return of the hostages. Hamas prefers prolonged negotiations to ensure its survival.”
Hebrew media reports revealed that the Israeli delegation in Doha has limited authority and is not negotiating a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal. Instead, it seeks to push through a prior U.S. proposal introduced by Whitkoff at the end of the first ceasefire phase. This proposal includes:
- A 60-day ceasefire extension
- The release of 10 Israeli hostages on the first day
- The gradual release of others until the final day
Threats of Renewed War
The Israeli delegation will propose gradual prisoner exchanges, similar to the first phase, but without any commitment to ending the war.
Hamas rejects this approach, doubting Israel’s intentions. The movement cites previous Israeli threats to resume the war immediately after retrieving its hostages.
Israeli Settlement Minister Orit Strock, a member of the far-right Religious Zionism party, explicitly confirmed these fears in an interview with i24News, stating that:
“The Israeli security cabinet decided in its last session not to proceed to the second phase of the prisoner deal as defined by Hamas. We have decided to continue the war.”
She added:“The second phase must end with Hamas’ defeat and its removal from Gaza. This is not up for negotiation—it is a decision we have made.”
Pressure on Israeli Negotiators
The Families of Israeli Hostages Committee pressured the Israeli negotiating team not to return from Doha without securing an agreement.
In a statement, they declared:”Do not return without a deal that brings back all the hostages immediately and in one exchange.”They also demanded a political commitment to ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza in exchange for releasing the last Israeli hostage.
Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure to secure a ceasefire agreement. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of putting political survival over diplomacy, stating:”Ending the war comes with a political cost, and Netanyahu does not want to pay it.”
He also accused the Israeli government of not making sufficient efforts to secure the hostages’ release and failing to use all available means to resolve the situation.
