negotiations to reach a ceasefire in Gaza are at a standstill due to disagreements between Israel and Hamas on the scope of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territory.
According to sources from both sides, an indirect negotiation round is taking place in Doha regarding the US-made proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, but has not made significant progress.
A Palestinian source said Hamas has rejected an withdrawal map issued by Israel, which still holds about 40% of Gaza under Israeli control, including the entire Rafah area in the south and many areas in northern and eastern Gaza. Hamas has asked Israel to withdraw troops to locations held in a ceasefire agreement before the new offensive began in March.
The two sides maintain opposing stance on the conditions for ending the conflict and releasing hostages. Hamas demands a complete end to the conflict before returning the remaining hostages, while Israel demands the release of all hostages and the dissolvement of Hamas as an armed force and government in Gaza before ceasing fire.
In addition to the disagreement on withdrawing troops, the issue of humanitarian aid and a commitment to end the conflict are also major barriers. A Palestinian source said the situation could be resolved if the US intervenes more deeply in the mediation process.
While negotiations are at a standstill, violence continues to increase on the ground. At least 17 people were killed in an Israeli fire near a food delivery point in Rafah, according to Gaza health workers. This is the latest in a series of shootings around the US-backed aid distribution system, which has killed at least 800 people in the past 6 weeks according to UN estimates.
Since the end of May, Israel has allowed aid to enter Gaza through a US-backed distribution system protected by Israeli soldiers. The United Nations has opposed the system, saying it violates the principle of humanitarian neutrality and poses a high risk to civilians. Israel argues that this is a necessary way to prevent armed forces from appropriating aid.
The prolonged military campaign since October 2023 has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to statistics from health authorities in Gaza, and sent more than 2 million people homeless and in a serious humanitarian crisis.
