Israel's Netanyahu recalls negotiators from Doha amid stalemate in hostage talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on May 20 that senior members of Israel’s negotiating team have returned from Doha for consultations, following a week of “intensive” but ultimately unproductive hostage negotiations mediated in the Qatari capital.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the decision to recall the high-level team comes as talks between Israel and Hamas over a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal have reached a deadlock. A smaller group of working-level representatives will remain in Doha to continue engagements with mediators, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

"Israel agrees to the American proposal for the return of the hostages, which is based on the Witkoff framework," the statement read. "This proposal was recently conveyed to Hamas via the mediators, but so far, it continues to cling to its refusal."

The U.S.-backed Witkoff framework, named after U.S. special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, envisions a short-term ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of approximately half of the remaining living hostages held by Hamas. Axios recently reported that the U.S. proposal includes the release of 10 living hostages in return for a 45-60 day truce and the liberation of an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners. The plan also contains modified language intended to offer Hamas assurances that the temporary truce could pave the way for a more lasting ceasefire.

Despite the international pressure, Hamas has so far refused to accept the deal. The group accused Netanyahu of attempting to "mislead the international community" by merely creating the illusion of active negotiations.

The renewed talks, which began on May 17 following the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, have yielded no breakthroughs. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas is currently holding 58 hostages. This includes 20 individuals believed to be alive, the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead, and three others whose condition remains unknown.

Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, Hamas has released 30 hostages — among them 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — as well as the bodies of eight deceased captives. A dual American-Israeli citizen was freed earlier this month as a “gesture” toward the United States. In total, 105 hostages were released during a weeklong truce in late November 2024, while four others were freed earlier in the conflict.

In return, Israel has released around 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including convicted terrorists and suspects apprehended during the ongoing war in Gaza.

Eight hostages have been rescued alive by Israeli forces, while 41 bodies have been recovered — including three hostages mistakenly killed by the IDF during an escape attempt. The remains of a soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza war are also counted among the hostages still held by Hamas.

As negotiations falter, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and families of the hostages grow increasingly anxious over the fate of their loved ones. For now, the future of a truce or further releases remains uncertain.

By Khagan Isayev