Hamas has strongly rejected U.S. officials’ criticisms of its role in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, accusing the U.S. of misrepresenting Hamas’ position and failing to address Israeli obstructionism. Izzat Al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, claimed that the U.S. statements were inconsistent with the actual progress of negotiations acknowledged by mediators Qatar and Egypt, who had expressed appreciation for Hamas’ constructive stance. Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of being the real obstacle to achieving a ceasefire and demanded U.S. pressure on Israel to engage seriously in ending the aggression and securing a prisoner exchange deal.
The United States and Israel have both withdrawn their delegations from ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing Hamas’ lack of cooperation. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that Hamas’ response to negotiations showed a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire, leading the U.S. to consider alternative options to bring hostages home and create stability in Gaza. Trump expressed disappointment in Hamas’ handling of the negotiations, suggesting the group did not want to make a deal because they knew what would happen after the final hostages were released. Netanyahu’s office recalled its team, claiming Hamas was acting in bad faith, while Qatar and Egypt reaffirmed their commitment to continuing efforts toward a ceasefire, in partnership with the U.S.
Despite the setback, talks are expected to resume next week, according to Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV. The ongoing breakdown in negotiations has created uncertainty about the future of the conflict, with both sides remaining deeply entrenched in their positions. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability to the region and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.