What's happened
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha have yet to produce a truce, with ongoing clashes and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas submitted a ceasefire proposal, which Israel is studying, as top US envoy plans European talks. Gaza faces mass starvation, with aid deliveries hampered by the blockade.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing Gaza negotiations highlight the deep divisions and entrenched positions of both sides. Hamas seeks guarantees for a lasting truce, full troop withdrawal, and aid flow, while Israel insists on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities. The US is actively mediating, with plans for European diplomacy. The humanitarian crisis, marked by mass starvation and limited aid, underscores the urgency of a breakthrough. The failure to reach an agreement prolongs suffering and risks further escalation, with the potential for wider regional instability. The international community's focus on humanitarian aid and diplomatic pressure will shape the next phase of this conflict.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reports that indirect talks in Doha have been ongoing for over two weeks without success, with Hamas submitting amendments to ceasefire proposals and Israel considering them as workable. The US envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing to travel to Europe for further discussions. The AP News highlights the humanitarian crisis, with Gaza facing mass starvation due to the blockade and ongoing military operations, and notes the casualties on both sides. The Times of Israel provides details on the latest Hamas response, the Israeli review process, and recent violence in the West Bank, emphasizing the complexity of negotiations and the escalation of violence. The Independent echoes these points, emphasizing the delays caused by Hamas and the international efforts to broker a ceasefire, while also noting the rising casualties and humanitarian suffering.
How we got here
Since October 2023, Hamas's attack on Israel triggered a prolonged conflict, leading to significant casualties and a blockade on Gaza. Multiple ceasefire attempts have failed, with both sides holding firm to their demands. International mediators have been working to broker a truce, amid mounting humanitarian concerns.
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Common question
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What’s Happening in Gaza and West Bank Right Now?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank has led to a humanitarian crisis, increased violence, and international concern. Many people are asking what’s really happening, how severe the situation is, and what the future might hold. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about this complex and urgent situation.
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Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor and landlord based in New York City, and founder of the Witkoff Group.
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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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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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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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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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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and