Negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages in Gaza have come to a halt as US mediators withdraw from talks, citing a lack of commitment from Hamas. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that the US team is returning home from Doha for consultations due to Hamas’s inadequate response regarding a potential cease-fire with Israel.
Witkoff expressed disappointment, stating, “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” He added that the US would explore alternative methods to secure the release of the hostages, although he did not specify what those options might entail.
The talks, which had been ongoing for several weeks, collapsed as both sides failed to agree on terms for freeing the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Among those captured are Itay Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 22, both of whom have family ties to New York.
Hamas had reportedly proposed that Israel release 200 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in exchange for freeing half of the living hostages. A source involved in the negotiations conveyed to the Times of Israel that this proposal seemed more like an opening bid, with no expectation that Israel would agree to the terms.
Israel has historically freed thousands of prisoners in exchange for hostages, primarily focusing on women and young men. Hamas has reiterated its position that it would not accept a deal without guarantees that the hostage exchange would lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities. Israel, for its part, has dismissed this condition, insisting that it will not end military operations until Hamas is effectively dismantled and the Gaza Strip is no longer a threat to its security.
Witkoff criticized Hamas’s approach, describing it as “selfish,” and indicated that Israel also decided to withdraw its negotiating team from Doha following Hamas’s unsatisfactory response. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not disclosed further details about the negotiations but did extend gratitude to the mediators for their efforts.
The most recent proposal under discussion mirrored a plan initially suggested by Witkoff, which would have involved Hamas releasing 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for a 60-day cease-fire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. This agreement would also have facilitated increased aid distribution to Palestinians, who are facing a severe humanitarian crisis amid ongoing conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the region has experienced devastating consequences. Recently, a reported 85 individuals lost their lives while attempting to access food distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, marking one of the deadliest days in recent weeks.
The collapse of these negotiations underscores the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflict, leaving many searching for viable paths toward resolution and humanitarian relief.
