CAIRO, July 25: Ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel are expected to resume next week, as Israeli strikes continue across Gaza and experts warn Palestinians are on the brink of famine. Hamas official Bassem Naim said an Israeli delegation would depart for consultations early next week. Previous talks had been held in Qatar. The US recalled its negotiating team from Qatar and President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Hamas’ latest response to the negotiations showed a “lack of desire” to reach a truce. Witkoff said the US will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also recalled his negotiating team in light of Hamas’ response. In a brief statement, Netanyahu’s office expressed appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and other mediators, Qatar and Egypt, but gave no further details. A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza. Over two dozen Western-aligned countries and over 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war, harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state, saying the urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved. Hamas said that Witkoff’s remarks were meant to pressure the group for Netanyahu’s benefit during the next round of talks and that in recent days negotiations had made progress.
The deal under discussion is expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up, and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting ceasefire. (AP)
