
The first round of indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar have ended without a deal.
According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli delegation were not authorized to reach an agreement with their Hamas counterparts.
“After the first session of indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorized … to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers,” the sources told Reuters.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads to Washington today to meet with President Trump for the third time since January, said his negotiators were given instructions to accept a ceasefire deal under conditions acceptable to Israel.
The war between Israel and Hamas began after a series of attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw around 250 captured and held as hostages. Over 50,000 Palestinians are reckoned to have been killed in the Israeli response.
For the Palestinians, the safe passage of humanitarian aid remains a concern, as well as access to Gaza via Rafah crossing into Egypt and the need for a timeline for withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Among other things, Israel wants to guarantee the return of the remaining hostages held by Hamas since the initial attacks that began the conflict on 7 October 2023.
Last week, President Trump said he wanted a speedy end to the conflict.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better—IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
🚨MASSIVE TERROR ALERT: Top Iranian Mullah Issues Death Fatwa Against Trump/America!