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Hamas might rejoin the talks early next week if mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar present a plan based on the proposals outlined by US President Joe Biden, according to a report, citing sources read more
 "Gaza ceasefire negotiations begin in Doha as Hamas skips meet")
An Israeli tank manouvers near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Israel, on Wednesday. Reuters
Gaza ceasefire talks started in Doha on Thursday even as Hamas stayed away from the closed-door meeting, accusing Israel of adding new demands to US proposals and complaining that additional rounds of talks benefit its war rival.
According to The National, citing sources, Hamas might rejoin the talks early next week if mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar present a plan based on the proposals outlined by US President Joe Biden.
With US warships, submarines and warplanes dispatched to the region to defend Israel and deter potential attackers, Washington is hoping a ceasefire agreement in Gaza can defuse the risk of a full-out wider regional war.
According to a Reuters report, citing the official briefed on the talks, while Hamas officials did not join Thursday’s talks, mediators planned to consult with Hamas’ Doha-based negotiating team after the meeting.
The negotiations in Qatar are being attended by CIA Director William Burns, the spy chiefs of Israel and Egypt, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, added sources.
“The negotiations will primarily focus on narrowing the differences between Israel and Hamas,” The National quoted one of the sources as saying.
“But Israel’s insistence on eradicating Hamas and removing it entirely from the scene in Gaza after the war will always cast doubt on the fate of the talks,” the source added.
The fresh round of talks come as the Palestinian death toll in the Gaza conflict crossed 40,000 and amid threat of a broader Middle East war intensifying following the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut.
The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and devastated large areas.
Israel has claimed responsibility for the Beirut assassination and is widely suspected of orchestrating the Tehran killing.
Both Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation, though Iranian officials have hinted that Tehran might reconsider if a Gaza ceasefire is achieved in Doha.
Mediators have spent months trying to finalise President Biden’s three-phase plan, which involves Hamas releasing hostages from its October 7 attack on Israel in exchange for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
While both sides have agreed in principle, disputes over “amendments” and “clarifications” have led to mutual accusations of imposing new, unacceptable demands. Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposals, which include a permanent military presence along the Egypt border and a checkpoint to screen Palestinians returning to Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied making new demands but questions the durability of the ceasefire, emphasising Israel’s commitment to “total victory” and the release of all hostages. Disagreements also persist over which Palestinian prisoners would be released and whether they would face exile.
Hamas’s October attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 240 hostages. About 100 hostages were freed during a temporary truce in late November, with Israel stating that 111 remain captive, though nearly 40 are reported dead.
With inputs from agencies
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English (US) ·