Hamas hopes for breakthrough in Doha talks as ceasefire negotiations continue

The Palestinian group Hamas has expressed optimism that the latest round of indirect negotiations with Israel, which began in Doha, will pave the way for implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

“We hope that the round of negotiations that began today will lead to tangible progress and the beginning of the second phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” a Hamas spokesperson stated, Caliber.Az reports citing Asharq.

Israeli media earlier reported that Steven Witkoff, the special envoy of the US President, arrived in the Qatari capital on March 11 to participate in the discussions.

The current ceasefire, which began in mid-January, halted Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. The truce followed Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. During the first phase, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

However, on March 2, Netanyahu announced the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the closure of all border crossings. Israeli authorities justified the move by stating that Hamas refused to accept the Witkoff plan for extending the truce.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged that Israel remains open to achieving its objectives in Gaza through negotiations. However, he also emphasized that the option of resuming military operations remains on the table.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on March 10, downplayed expectations for progress, calling the direct negotiations a “one-off situation” that “hasn’t borne fruit” so far.

Among the hostages still held in Gaza, 24 are believed to be alive, while 35 have been confirmed dead, according to Israeli intelligence.

By Tamilla Hasanova