Ceasefire negotiations in Doha aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas have been paused, with talks set to resume next week. U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged progress but noted that an agreement has not yet been reached. A joint statement from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt revealed that Washington has proposed a new plan that builds on recent discussions, potentially paving the way for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The mediators emphasized their commitment to this process, which they believe could save lives and reduce regional tensions.
Negotiations, which resumed on Thursday, involved Israeli representatives but did not include Hamas directly, although the group was kept informed. An anonymous U.S. official described a renewed spirit among participants, highlighting significant progress on several issues. Biden directed his team to present a comprehensive bridging proposal, which he believes could lead to a final agreement. He also communicated with Qatar's Emir and Egypt's President, who both supported the U.S. proposal.
Technical teams will remain on-site to continue working, with senior officials set to meet in Cairo by week's end. Biden is dispatching Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel to reaffirm U.S. support and caution against actions that might jeopardize the process. While Biden expressed optimism, he warned that the situation is still far from resolved.
Key challenges include disagreements over the destruction of Hamas, with Israel insisting on this condition for peace, while Hamas demands a permanent, not temporary, ceasefire. Other contentious issues involve the sequence of deals, the release of Palestinian prisoners alongside Israeli hostages, control of the Gaza-Egypt border, and the freedom of movement within Gaza.
As the Israeli delegation heads home, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Blinken on Monday. Meanwhile, Israel's military continued its offensive in Gaza, targeting areas previously deemed safe for civilians, citing Hamas's use of these zones to launch attacks. The ongoing conflict has caused massive displacement, a hunger crisis, and severe casualties, with over 40,000 Palestinians reported dead by local health authorities.
The U.N. has called for a week-long pause in fighting to allow for a polio vaccination campaign, following the detection of the first polio case in Gaza. The latest round of violence began on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. In response, Israel's military actions have led to accusations of genocide, which Israel denies, while claiming the elimination of 17,000 Hamas fighters.
The Doha talks involved key figures from Israel, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, with the U.S. aiming to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader regional war. Iran has threatened retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, but the U.S. has warned Tehran against launching a major missile attack on Israel, citing potentially catastrophic consequences.