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Inside the High-Stakes Qatar Talks: Can the US Broker a Lasting Gaza Ceasefire?


 

The White House’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Qatar to join crucial indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, aiming to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire. This diplomatic mission unfolds amid growing tension, with both sides grappling over the terms of an extended truce. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, saw Hamas release 25 living Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others, along with five living Thai hostages, in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The truce, however, concluded on March 1, and the world is now watching anxiously as new talks commence.

Israel is pushing for a two-month extension of the ceasefire, proposing to release about half of the remaining hostages at the outset and the rest at the end. This plan, reportedly suggested by Witkoff, aims to span the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, offering a temporary reprieve from violence. However, Hamas remains firm, demanding immediate discussions on the second phase of the original ceasefire agreement. Their stance emphasizes ending the war and ensuring a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza — a point of contention that has stalled progress and heightened diplomatic stakes.

Amid these high-level negotiations, humanitarian concerns are intensifying. Since early March, Israel has halted aid deliveries, including food and fuel, to Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas into agreeing to their terms. This blockade has severely impacted daily life, with Gaza’s only desalination plant running on minimal capacity and bakeries in Khan Younis shutting down due to the lack of flour and cooking gas. The UN’s Humanitarian Co-ordinator, Muhannad Hadi, has warned that any further delays in aid will undo any progress achieved during the previous ceasefire, amplifying the urgency for a resolution.

The crisis has also reignited regional tensions, with Yemen’s Houthi movement threatening to resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These threats pose a significant risk to global maritime routes, potentially disrupting vital trade channels. The Houthis claim their actions aim to pressure Israel into reopening Gaza’s crossings and allowing humanitarian aid to flow freely. While no new attacks have occurred yet, the threat alone has added another layer of volatility to the already precarious situation.

Public opinion, both in Israel and abroad, remains divided. A recent poll by Israel’s Channel 13 revealed that half of Israelis believe US President Donald Trump is more concerned about the hostages’ fate than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, far-right allies of Netanyahu have warned of dissolving the coalition government if military operations in Gaza do not resume. This political friction underscores the complexities of balancing domestic pressures with international diplomatic efforts, making the Qatar talks even more critical.

As the negotiations unfold, the emotional toll on those affected by the crisis is impossible to ignore. Families of hostages have staged protests outside Israel’s defence ministry, demanding an immediate deal to bring their loved ones home. Ofri Bibas, who recently regained her brother but lost other family members, echoed the desperation of many: “By Passover, everyone must be home, and the only way to bring everyone back is to end the war. Now.” Their anguish fuels the call for a lasting ceasefire — a goal that hinges on the delicate dance of diplomacy now playing out in Qatar.

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