Mediators attempting to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel made a final push this week to rejuvenate stalled negotiations, with high-stakes discussions concluding on Friday amid growing tension and desperation in the region.
According to CNN, the latest round of talks, held in Doha starting on Thursday, has wrapped up, according to a diplomat familiar with the proceedings.
While no breakthrough was anticipated, efforts will persist. Technical teams are scheduled to reconvene over the weekend, beginning Saturday, with plans for key figures to meet again in Cairo, Egypt, next week.
The discussions come as the Middle East faces the looming threat of an Iranian attack on Israel and as the death toll in Gaza since October has risen to 40,000, highlighting the ongoing suffering, malnutrition, and despair in the region.
The potential for an Iranian assault jeopardizes any tenuous hopes for a ceasefire, especially after Israeli strikes have targeted Hamas’ former political leader and senior members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Despite initial concerns that the talks might be canceled, key participants including CIA director Bill Burns, Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel attended the meeting.
During the discussions, the US, Qatar, and Egypt were expected to propose a plan to implement a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
This proposal, suggested by President Joe Biden in May, has faced unresolved differences, leaving the path forward uncertain.
In Tel Aviv, protests have erupted demanding a deal that ensures the release of Israeli hostages.
The mediators presented a bridging proposal aimed at addressing the remaining disagreements and facilitating a swift implementation of the deal, according to a joint statement from the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
This statement, issued by the Egyptian presidency and Qatari foreign ministry, noted that the proposal “builds on the areas of agreement over the past week” and seeks to “bridge remaining gaps” for a rapid deal implementation.
Despite the serious and constructive nature of the talks, the statement did not detail the specific agreements reached.
Hamas had previously stated it would not engage in new negotiations but was willing to discuss the implementation of previously agreed-upon terms.
A Hamas political bureau member, Basem Naim, emphasized that the group would only agree to implement existing agreements without entering further negotiations.
On Thursday, Hamas reiterated its stance that any ceasefire or hostage deal is contingent upon a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
President Biden’s proposal from May included a phased approach; Phase 1 involving a six-week period with Israeli forces withdrawing from populated Gaza areas, the release of hostages, and a temporary truce; Phase 2 focusing on the release of all remaining hostages and a permanent end to fighting; and Phase 3 initiating a major reconstruction plan for Gaza and returning the remains of deceased hostages.
The conflict began on October 7 with Hamas’ cross-border attacks, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 hostages taken. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and their families are urgently seeking a resolution.
The status of some original hostages set for release is still uncertain.
Negotiations have been complex, with Qatar and Egypt shuttling messages between Israeli and Hamas representatives.
Despite initial optimism, disagreements on critical details such as the sequencing of the hostage-prisoner exchange and the extent of Israeli troop withdrawal have hindered progress.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced criticism for allegedly undermining the ceasefire deal due to pressure from far-right coalition members opposed to troop withdrawal.
The prime minister’s office has denied these claims, asserting that Netanyahu’s recent stance aligns with the May proposal and accusing Hamas of adding unrealistic demands.
Remaining issues include Israel’s restrictions on movement from southern to northern Gaza, its demands for veto power over Palestinian prisoner releases, and its presence at the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah border crossing.
US officials had previously reported advanced stages in talks until the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, a move Iran blamed on Israel.
Hamas has denied difficulties in communicating with its new leader, Yahya Sinwar, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The group has adopted a position of “intentional ambiguity” regarding future negotiations, attributing this strategy to Netanyahu’s actions.
The urgency of these talks is underscored by a rare joint statement from Qatar, Egypt, and the US, urging a return to negotiations and presenting a “final bridge proposal” to overcome remaining obstacles.
Although details of the proposal remain confidential, it aims to address the critical points in the negotiations.
US and regional diplomats continue efforts to dissuade Iran from attacking Israel, with indications that an agreement might influence Iran’s decision. Despite this, Iran’s mission to the UN has stated that any retaliation is “totally unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire.”
US officials believe that recent public warnings have impacted Iran’s calculations, although there are concerns that the Biden administration may not be applying enough pressure on Netanyahu to finalize a deal.
The lack of clarity on Netanyahu’s adherence to the May proposal and the influence of Qatar and Egypt on Hamas suggest that time is running out for a ceasefire before a potential Iranian attack.
