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US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will arrive in the Qatari capital of Doha on Tuesday for ceasefire talks. These will be the first talks on Gaza since Trump took office, the Washington Post reports, citing sources in the US administration.
Israel also confirmed its participation in the talks. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that an Israeli delegation would arrive in Doha on Monday to try to move the negotiations forward.
What was the reason for the new negotiations?
The first phase of the ceasefire ended on 1 March without any further steps being agreed.
Hamas insists on negotiating the second phase of the agreement, which should provide for a complete end to the war.
Israel demands only a temporary ceasefire for the exchange of hostages, but refuses to end its military campaign.
Last week, Israel blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza over the ceasefire dispute.
Is there any progress in the negotiations?
Last week, the United States held direct talks with Hamas for the first time in an attempt to secure the release of American hostage Idan Alexander and other prisoners.
US Special Representative for Hostages Adam Bohler said there was a chance of a breakthrough in the negotiations in the coming weeks. According to him, one of the possible solutions is to extend the ceasefire for another two months in exchange for the release of 10 live hostages.
International position
On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom supported the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza without evicting the local population and without preserving Hamas’ power.
Any recovery and reconstruction must be based on a solid political and security foundation acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians,” the diplomats said in a statement.
It remains to be seen whether this diplomatic initiative will lead to a lasting truce. Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not stop until it has destroyed Hamas’s military capabilities, while the group is not ready to disband its forces in exchange for Western guarantees.
