The United States and Israel have both withdrawn from ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, amid growing tensions and a lack of progress. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Hamas has shown a ‘lack of desire’ to reach a ceasefire agreement, leading to the decision to pull out of the negotiations. The announcement came alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office recalling its negotiation team, citing Hamas’ hardened stance.
Hamas has reportedly demanded the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for murdering Israelis and an additional 2,000 detainees in Gaza, which far exceeds previous agreements. Witkoff emphasized that the U.S. remains resolute in its efforts to bring about permanent peace, though the focus has shifted to ‘alternative options’ to secure the release of hostages and stabilize the region. State Department officials did not offer details on these potential measures, highlighting the ongoing impasse with Hamas.
The U.S. has also decided not to participate in an upcoming United Nations conference discussing a potential two-state solution, underscoring the complexities and deadlocks in achieving a lasting resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. These developments indicate a growing frustration among both sides with the current negotiation framework, and suggest that any resolution to the conflict may remain distant for now.