What's happened
Renewed ceasefire negotiations in Qatar are ongoing as the Palestinian death toll surpasses 40,000. Key players include Israeli and U.S. officials, with Hamas indirectly involved. The talks are critical amid fears of Iranian retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the ceasefire talks in Qatar are seen as a critical opportunity to halt the violence, with U.S. and Middle Eastern diplomats emphasizing the need for a deal to ease the humanitarian crisis. The Independent highlights the involvement of high-level officials, including Israel's spy chief and the head of the CIA, indicating the seriousness of the negotiations. However, The Guardian notes that Hamas's hardline stance and refusal to negotiate directly could hinder progress, raising concerns about potential Iranian retaliation if talks fail. The Japan Times underscores that Iranian officials have stated a ceasefire is essential to prevent direct attacks on Israel, illustrating the interconnected nature of these negotiations.
How we got here
The conflict in Gaza has escalated over the past 10 months, leading to significant casualties and stalled ceasefire attempts. Recent events, including the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, have heightened tensions and urgency for a resolution.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh is a senior political leader of Hamas and formerly one of two disputed Prime Ministers of the Palestinian National Authority. Haniyeh became prime minister after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Doha is the capital and most populous city of the State of Qatar. It has a population of 956,460. The city is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the east of the country, North of Al Wakrah and South of Al Khor.