US Withdraws Delegation from Doha Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

The US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkov, announced that the US has pulled its delegation from Doha, where it was involved in ceasefire negotiations. This decision coincided with an announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the negotiators in Doha would also be leaving due to Hamas’s recent actions.

Witkov stated, “We’ve decided to bring the team home for consultations following the latest response from Hamas, which clearly indicates a lack of interest in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.” He pointed out that despite the mediators’ efforts, it seems Hamas is not engaging in good faith. “Now, we’re looking at other options to bring hostages back and create a more stable environment for people in Gaza,” he added.

With this latest move, Hamas is expected to adopt a stronger position in discussions, particularly as Netanyahu reassesses the negotiation team.

Witkov expressed disappointment, describing Hamas as acting in a “selfish” manner, asserting that the US remains committed to achieving lasting peace in the region.

Reports from Israeli media suggest that Hamas is currently insisting on life sentences for those charged with killing Israelis and the release of numerous Palestinians, which far exceeds previous mediation proposals accepted by Israel. Those included the release of 125 life-term inmates along with 1,200 others.

There’s also a growing concern from supported organizations urging for UN collaboration and expressing alarms about aid cessation in Gaza.

During a briefing, Associate Deputy Spokesman Tommy Piggott withheld further details about what the “alternative options” might entail. He did confirm, however, that the US would not be participating in an upcoming UN conference addressing the potential for a two-state solution.

Piggott also clarified that while the special envoy had made his statement, it’s crucial to note that it was Hamas that had repeatedly broken the ceasefire. He emphasized, “The concerns about commitment to a ceasefire lie with them, not us.”

“Israel has been open to negotiations for quite some time, but Hamas has consistently rejected them,” he concluded.