The United States(US) and Israel have recalled their teams from Gaza ceasefire talks after Hamas submitted a proposal that showed “a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire,” according to US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The move comes amid growing international pressure on both sides to reach an agreement and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Witkoff stated that the US remains committed to seeking an end to the war in Gaza, but expressed disappointment with Hamas’s approach. “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
Hamas, however, has denied Witkoff’s claims, stating that it is committed to continuing negotiations and engaging in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement. “The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement.
The current proposal under discussion includes a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living captives and the remains of 18 others. In turn, Palestinians imprisoned by Israel would be released, and aid supplies would be ramped up as the two sides held negotiations on a lasting truce. However, details of the current sticking point were not immediately clear, with officials from both sides previously pointing to a dispute over what would happen in the wake of any new ceasefire.
Israel has repeatedly said it plans to deploy the military long-term in Gaza, seeking a complete defeat of Hamas, despite warnings that such a goal is unrealistic. Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly laid out a plan for the forced transfer of Palestinians to a “humanitarian city” within Gaza, a maximalist approach that critics say would violate international law.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate sharply amid Israel’s severe restrictions on the entry of aid. At least 115 people have died from malnutrition since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, mostly in recent weeks, as the United Nations and aid agencies have warned that Gaza’s residents are facing mass starvation. The World Health Organisation has warned that more than two million people in Gaza face starvation.
The conflict has killed at least 59,587 Palestinians since it began in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,139 people. This week, more than 100 aid groups blamed Israel’s restrictions on aid for “mass starvation” in the enclave.
The international community is increasingly calling for a ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. The move is seen as a significant step towards recognizing Palestinian statehood and has been welcomed by many in the international community.
In conclusion, the recall of the US and Israeli teams from the Gaza ceasefire talks highlights the challenges and complexities of the conflict. While both sides remain committed to finding a solution, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, and the international community is increasingly calling for action.