Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Ceasefire Talks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel announced it will send a delegation to Qatar on Monday for negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire, while Hamas claims progress in its talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The discussions focus on the second phase of the truce, which has been delayed for over a month. Hostage releases, humanitarian aid, and post-war governance remain key sticking points. Meanwhile, Muslim nations gathered in Saudi Arabia rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s population, calling it ethnic cleansing.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks: Quick Look
- Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar – Israeli officials will travel to Qatar on Monday for renewed ceasefire negotiations.
- Hamas Reports Progress – The militant group says there are “positive signals” from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
- Hostage Deal Stalemate – Israel seeks the release of 12 hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire, while Hamas demands a permanent truce.
- Israel’s Pressure Tactics – Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza, affecting 2 million Palestinians, to push Hamas into an agreement.
- OIC Rejects Trump’s Plan – Muslim nations oppose Trump’s call to relocate Gaza’s population, calling it ethnic cleansing.
- Gaza Governance Debate – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) supports a plan to replace Hamas with a PA-backed governing body.
- Western Leaders Back Arab Plan – France, Germany, Italy, and the UK support an Arab-led reconstruction initiative for postwar Gaza.
- Israeli Airstrike in Rafah – An Israeli strike killed two Palestinians amid accusations of drone activity near the border.
- Death Toll Rises – Over 48,000 Palestinians killed since October, while Hamas’ attack in 2023 left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Deep Look
Israel and Hamas are set to resume ceasefire negotiations, with Israel confirming it will send a delegation to Qatar on Monday in an effort to advance stalled talks. The discussions, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., will focus on implementing the long-delayed second phase of the truce.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that Israel had accepted the invitation of U.S.-backed mediators, but provided no further details on its negotiating stance.
Hamas also confirmed receiving “positive signals” from mediators but did not elaborate on what progress had been made. Talks on the second phase of the ceasefire should have begun a month ago, but both sides have remained deadlocked.
Stalemate Over Hostages and Humanitarian Aid
One of the major points of contention is the release of hostages still held by Hamas. According to Israeli intelligence, Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 34 others.
Israel has been pushing for Hamas to release half of the remaining captives in exchange for extending the ceasefire and entering talks for a lasting truce. However, Hamas has insisted that any further hostage releases must come with concrete commitments to a permanent ceasefire.
In an effort to pressure Hamas, Israel cut off all humanitarian aid and supplies to Gaza last weekend, affecting over 2 million Palestinians. Hamas has condemned the move, saying that it also endangers the hostages still in captivity.
Background: Ceasefire’s First Phase and Its Impact
The current ceasefire, brokered last year, marked a pause in the deadliest and most destructive conflict between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the truce led to the release of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others, in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
During this period:
- Israeli forces withdrew to buffer zones within Gaza.
- Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to northern Gaza for the first time since early in the war.
- Hundreds of aid trucks entered Gaza daily until Israel suspended supplies last week.
Despite this brief relief, the ceasefire remains fragile, with sporadic Israeli airstrikes and continued clashes along the border.
Hostage Families Appeal to Trump for Intervention
Ahead of their weekly rally in Tel Aviv, relatives of the hostages made a direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from resuming full-scale war.
“Mr. President, a return to war means a death sentence for the living hostages left behind. Please, sir, do not allow Netanyahu to sacrifice them.”
Trump recently met with eight former hostages, and his administration has been engaging in direct talks with Hamas—a move that has surprised many observers. The White House has not yet commented on the upcoming negotiations in Qatar.
Muslim Nations Reject Trump’s Call for Gaza Population Relocation
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, foreign ministers from Muslim-majority nations gathered for a special session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
One of the main topics discussed was U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to permanently relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population elsewhere, a move the OIC ministers strongly opposed.
“We reject any plans aimed at displacing the Palestinian people individually or collectively… such actions constitute ethnic cleansing, a grave violation of international law and a crime against humanity.” — OIC Statement
The OIC’s 57 member nations backed a Gaza reconstruction plan led by Egypt, which calls for the establishment of a new administrative body to govern Gaza, replacing Hamas. This plan has the support of key Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Gaza Governance After the War: Who Will Take Over?
The OIC’s proposal suggests forming a governing committee that would operate under the Palestinian Authority (PA), which currently governs parts of the occupied West Bank.
However, Israel has rejected any role for the PA in postwar Gaza, arguing that it cannot be trusted to maintain security. At the same time, Israel has not presented a concrete alternative for who would govern Gaza if Hamas were removed.
Western leaders, including the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, issued a joint statement supporting the Arab initiative, calling it “a realistic path” for Gaza’s reconstruction.
“Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel anymore.” — Joint Statement from European Leaders
Escalating Violence: Israeli Strike Kills Two Palestinians in Rafah
Even as diplomatic efforts continue, violence on the ground has not completely stopped.
Early Saturday morning, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in the southern city of Rafah, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted militants who were attempting to launch a drone into Israel.
Since the war began in October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Most of the victims are reported to be women and children, though the exact number of militants among the dead remains unknown.
Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, most of them civilians, and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage. While most hostages have been released, negotiations continue over those who remain in captivity.
What Happens Next? Key Points to Watch
- Outcome of Israel’s Qatar Delegation: Will Israel and Hamas finally agree on the second phase of the ceasefire, or will negotiations break down?
- International Response to the OIC Plan: Will Western nations endorse the Arab-led proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance?
- Continued Violence in Gaza: Will the temporary ceasefire hold, or will Israel resume full-scale military operations?
- Trump’s Role in the Negotiations: How will direct U.S. engagement with Hamas affect ongoing ceasefire talks?
With diplomatic tensions high and humanitarian conditions worsening, the coming days could determine whether peace efforts move forward or collapse into renewed conflict.
