Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha have stalled amid disputes over Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. The U.S.-backed proposal, calling for a 60-day truce, faces roadblocks as both sides clash over key conditions. Israeli officials blame Hamas for refusing terms, while Hamas rejected Israeli withdrawal maps that would leave around 40% of Gaza, including Rafah, under Israeli control.
Tensions escalated Saturday after Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on civilians near an aid distribution point in Rafah, killing 17 people. The U.N. reports nearly 800 civilians have died in similar incidents over the past six weeks. Witnesses described the shooting as targeted, not random. Israel claims troops fired warning shots and found no evidence of injuries caused by their fire.
Israel’s new aid system, backed by the U.S. and protected by Israeli troops, has drawn sharp criticism from the U.N. for endangering civilians and violating neutrality. Despite easing a total blockade in May, humanitarian conditions remain dire, with over 2 million displaced and Gaza’s infrastructure devastated.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israeli military operations have killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
Thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding an immediate hostage deal. Protesters urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to prioritize negotiations and end the war.
The deadlock continues as Hamas insists on a permanent end to the conflict before releasing hostages, while Israel maintains that it will cease fighting only after all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled. Further progress may hinge on increased U.S. diplomatic intervention.