BBC: Gaza ceasefire talks on verge of collapse, Palestinian officials warn

Fragile negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a new ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza are reportedly on the brink of collapse, Palestinian officials familiar with the talks have told the BBC.

The high-stakes discussions, taking place in Doha and facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have produced little progress despite eight rounds of indirect "proximity" talks. According to a senior Palestinian negotiator, Israel’s delegation lacks decision-making authority and has been deliberately stalling — a tactic allegedly timed to align with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington.

While Netanyahu had struck a hopeful tone before leaving the U.S., suggesting a deal could be reached “in a few days,” Palestinian officials say two major issues remain unresolved: the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the extent of Israeli troop withdrawals.

Hamas is demanding that aid be delivered exclusively through United Nations agencies and international relief organisations. Israel, however, insists on using the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial distribution mechanism backed by both Tel Aviv and Washington. Though mediators have seen minor progress in narrowing this gap, no final agreement has been reached.

The more contentious issue lies in Israeli military withdrawal plans. While Israeli negotiators initially suggested a limited buffer zone within Gaza measuring up to 1.5 km, a follow-up map provided to Hamas showed buffer zones as deep as 3 km in some areas and indicated Israel's continued military presence across key regions — including all of Rafah, most of Khuzaa, and significant parts of Gaza City and northern towns.

Palestinian officials say the contradictory messages have undermined trust and accuse Israel of acting in bad faith. “They were never serious about these talks,” one official said. “They used these rounds to buy time and project a false image of progress.”

Adding to the tension, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz is reportedly advancing plans to relocate Palestinians to a new "humanitarian city" in Rafah, prompting international outcry. Human rights groups have likened the plan — which would involve screening civilians and prohibiting their exit — to a “concentration camp.”

With diplomatic channels strained, Palestinian representatives are calling on the United States to take a more assertive role in pressuring Israel to make genuine concessions. Mediators warn that without urgent intervention, the already tenuous Doha talks could collapse entirely.

"This process is hanging by a thread," a regional diplomat told the BBC. "Unless something changes dramatically and quickly, we may be heading towards a breakdown."

The negotiations come against the backdrop of a devastating war. Israel launched its military operation in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 57,800 Palestinians have been killed.

By Vugar Khalilov