Hopes for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel were dashed on Wednesday, with each side accusing the other of sabotaging progress.
Hamas claimed Israel imposed fresh conditions concerning troop withdrawal, ceasefire terms, and the return of displaced individuals, derailing agreements made earlier. “The occupation has set new conditions… which has delayed reaching the agreement,” said Hamas officials, asserting that they were showing flexibility in the negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered, accusing Hamas of reneging on prior understandings. “The Hamas terrorist organisation continues to lie, is reneging on understandings… and is continuing to create difficulties,” he said while reiterating Israel’s commitment to recovering hostages held by Hamas.
According to an AFP report, negotiations in Qatar showed promise earlier in the week, but Israeli negotiators returned to Israel on Tuesday for further consultations. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States remain involved in efforts to finalise a phased ceasefire deal. A key sticking point has been the future of Israeli troop presence in Gaza, with Defence Minister Israel Katz asserting that Israel will maintain security control, including buffer zones.
Amid stalled talks, Israeli forces intensified their military campaign in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas strongholds near hospitals and civilian areas. Health officials reported 24 fatalities on Wednesday, including a strike on a former school sheltering displaced families in Sheikh Radwan.
The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, has left over 45,300 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health authorities, and displaced much of the enclave’s 2.3 million population.