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The United States has withdrawn its negotiators from current Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Doha, citing what it termed as a lack of sincerity on the part of Hamas. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, made the announcement on Thursday, following Israel’s previous action in which it withdrew its delegation.
We have resolved to recall our staff from Doha for consultations following the most recent reaction of Hamas, which visibly indicates an unwillingness to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza,” Witkoff wrote on social media. He added that although Qatar and Egypt had made earnest efforts as mediators, Hamas “fails to be coordinated or in good faith.
Witkock further stated that Washington is currently mulling “alternative options” to free the hostages and stabilize Gaza, but did not say what those options could be. Neither the White House nor the State Department had an immediate response to requests for comment.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled for weeks in Qatar without a breakthrough, even with occasional glimmers of progress. One of the key questions is still the future deployment of Israeli forces in the event of a ceasefire. The deal on the table entails a 60-day ceasefire period during which Hamas would release 10 live hostages and the bodies of 18 others in return for Palestinian prisoners being released by Israel. Humanitarian assistance would also be increased, and subsequent negotiations would work towards an even more lasting peace.
Tensions rose as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. A minimum of 85 Palestinians were reported dead this week attempting to reach food, which has been one of the bloodiest days in Gaza for humanitarian relief-seekers since the war started more than 21 months ago.
Hamas has maintained that there must be an all-out Israeli military withdrawal and the termination of terrorist war before it frees all hostages. Israel, on its part, has insisted it will not stop the war unless Hamas disarms and hands over Gaza, which Hamas has refused to do.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed earlier on Thursday that it had withdrawn its delegation from the Doha talks after Hamas latest reaction. The statement expressed gratitude for the initiative of US envoy Witkoff and mediators from Qatar and Egypt but gave no further explanation.
While Witkoff had originally been slated to head to the Middle East for talks, US officials subsequently indicated that he was redirected to Europe. It is uncertain if he had any meetings there on Thursday.
