ALBAWABA - Amid rising tensions and delayed ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his high-level negotiating team to leave Doha. As part of the first phase of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" prisoner exchange arrangement, the first group of Israeli inmates was freed in Gaza at the same time as the action.
The technical team is still in Doha, while the top negotiating group has returned to Israel for talks, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office. Although Hamas is said to still oppose the idea, the Israeli government says it has accepted a proposal for the release of captives made by U.S. ambassador Steven Weitekamp.
Threats from the Military During a Diplomatic Deadlock
In the event that discussions are unsuccessful, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened to escalate military action, warning Hamas that its only choice is to free the captives. In addition, he said that if an agreement is struck, the Israeli force is ready to modify its approach while extending its ground operation and destroying what he referred to as "terrorist infrastructure."
Families of Israeli prisoners of war responded with indignation, claiming that the delegation's departure shows that the government does not really want to put an end to the war. In a statement, they urged the government to prioritize a solution, even if it meant stopping the assault, saying, "This move means the loss of the captives and deeper entrenchment in Gaza." According to a Channel 13 survey, 67% of Israelis are in favor of an agreement that would put an end to the conflict and guarantee the repatriation of all prisoners.
Netanyahu Is Misleading the World About Hamas
In response, Hamas made harsh charges, claiming that Netanyahu is deceiving the world by sending a team to talk without any actual power. The organization called Israeli claims of letting supplies into Gaza "optical illusions" and said there haven't been any meaningful negotiations since last Saturday. No supply trucks, including those that are said to have arrived at the Kerem Shalom border, have entered the Strip, Hamas said.
The organization also said that Netanyahu's refusal to find a peaceful solution is shown by Israel's intentional bombardment of civilian facilities and massacres. Hamas reaffirmed its determination to actively participate in any effort aimed at bringing the conflict to a conclusion and fully blamed the Israeli government for the discussions' derailment.
United States and Qatar Continue Mediation Efforts
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, affirmed that the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are still working on a truce. He lamented that the release of captive Idan Alexander did not result in a de-escalation but rather in more intense Israeli attacks while speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha.
Al Thani further admitted that the continuing Doha negotiations are still stalled by a considerable divide between the parties. He underlined that the only practical way to resolve the problem is still via diplomacy.
Spokesman for the White House Karoline Leavitt, meantime, reaffirmed that US President Donald Trump supports a ceasefire and the release of all captives. Washington is interacting with all sides and has called on Hamas to release the prisoners, she said. Progress is being made, according to U.S. captive envoy Adam Boehler, who also said that he is open to any meaningful offer from Hamas.
The Washington Post claims that the United States has increased pressure on Israel and warned that Washington's continuing backing might be contingent on Tel Aviv ceasing its military assault in Gaza.
