Watan-Israel has decided to recall all members of its negotiating delegation from the Qatari capital, Doha, following the breakdown of indirect talks with Hamas aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange agreement.
According to Israel’s Channel 13 on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, the Israeli political leadership made the decision to withdraw the entire team after only a mid-level group remained in Doha, due to continued stalemate in negotiations. The channel reported Wednesday that an Israeli official admitted:
“We are unable to reach an agreement acceptable to both sides regarding ending the fighting.”
Israeli broadcaster KAN quoted another official saying:”We’ve hit a dead end.”
Netanyahu: No End to War Without Conditions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a press conference Wednesday, addressed the negotiations, stating:
“If there’s an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire, we are prepared for it” — stressing the term temporary.
He added that ending the war depends on:
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The return of all hostages
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Disarmament of Hamas
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Expulsion of Hamas leadership
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Implementation of the Trump plan, which includes the displacement of Gaza’s population.
He concluded:”At the end of the Gaza operation, all of Gaza will be under Israeli security control. We’ve achieved a lot, but the mission is not yet complete.”
Israel Blames Hamas, Families Slam Leadership
According to Ynet, an unnamed Israeli official said Thursday:”The delegation was recalled because Hamas did not respond to the U.S. proposal approved by Israel. They remain firm in their rejection. If they change their position, the delegation will be redeployed immediately.”
Meanwhile, the Forum of Hostage Families—which regularly criticizes the Israeli government for its failure to secure a deal—released a scathing statement:”It’s been 19 months since the government assumed the supreme moral responsibility to bring back the kidnapped. This mission is in ongoing, severe failure.
No partial or symbolic victory can be claimed until this goal is achieved.”
The statement warned:”If Israel walks away from negotiations, it loses on all fronts. The hostages will face extreme danger. Our soldiers will pay a heavy price. Israel will be mired in Gaza, politically isolated, paying a steep cost for minimal gains.”
Public Pressure Mounts
The forum emphasized that:”A clear agreement has been on the table for over a year. The excuses have expired. Hamas’ leadership has been dismantled, and the group has been militarily defeated. It’s time to adopt the deal, release all hostages, and rescue Israel.
This is the demand of the overwhelming majority of Israelis. It’s the only path to a genuine Israeli victory. Time is running out, the world is watching, and history will remember.”
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