Negotiations in the Qatari capital, Doha, aimed at brokering a ceasefire and prisoner swap in Gaza ahead of the November elections, have concluded without any clear progress.
Two days of discussions on a Gaza ceasefire, held in Doha with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators, ended this week with no announcement of any advancement. Senior mediators have now departed Qatar, while technical delegations remain to continue discussions.
The talks, held Sunday and Monday, were viewed as a final U.S. attempt to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza before the U.S. presidential election on November 5.
A source told The National, “All sides, especially Israel, are waiting to see who will be in the White House. We don’t expect any shifts until then, nor do we believe the current offers satisfy either Israel or Hamas.”
In Washington, U.S. officials confirmed that the Biden administration supports Egypt’s proposal to secure the release of five hostages in exchange for a 48-72-hour ceasefire in Gaza, with additional humanitarian aid to the region. This information was shared with the Associated Press (AP).
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement clarifying that Israel had received no offer involving a 48-hour ceasefire for the release of hostages. “Had such an offer been made, the Prime Minister would have accepted it immediately,” the statement read.
Israel’s proposal for a one-month truce
The Yediot Aharonot newspaper reported that during the talks, Israel proposed a temporary one-month ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of 11 to 14 prisoners held by Hamas. The proposal, reportedly presented by Mossad Director David Barnea, suggested that Israel might release some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. However, Israeli authorities have not confirmed these reports.
Hamas’ position on occupation
Egyptian officials indicate that Hamas remains unwilling to compromise on the core conditions it previously outlined for the release of 101 Israeli hostages, which were discussed in talks between Egypt and Hamas in Cairo last week.
Last night, Hamas announced it had responded to the ceasefire proposals. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas leader, stated in a press conference that the movement had engaged with mediator requests to review new ceasefire and prisoner exchange ideas.
Abu Zuhri noted that some meetings have taken place, with further discussions anticipated, though he declined to elaborate. He emphasized Hamas’s openness to any agreement or proposal that addresses the suffering of Gaza’s people and leads to a permanent ceasefire, the complete end of the occupation, Israel’s withdrawal from the region, the lifting of the blockade, as well as the provision of aid, shelter, reconstruction, and a prisoner exchange agreement.
