White House envoy meets Qatari PM in bid to end Gaza war

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met on August 9 in Ibiza, Spain, with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani to discuss a plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, according to two sources familiar with the talks, quoted by Axios.

This meeting holds significance as introducing a comprehensive diplomatic proposal could potentially delay Israel’s planned offensive to occupy Gaza City.

Witkoff has emphasised that the Trump administration seeks a broad “all or nothing” agreement to conclude the conflict, rather than a partial or incremental deal.

According to a source involved in the negotiations, Qatar and the U.S. are collaborating to develop a detailed proposal expected to be presented to the relevant parties within the next two weeks.

Israel’s minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, mentioned during an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting that preceded approval of the new offensive plan that the Trump administration would soon offer an “End Game” proposal to resolve the Gaza war.

The White House declined to comment on the matter. However, an Israeli official involved in the talks expressed skepticism about Hamas accepting any “end game” deal proposed by Israel and the U.S., pointing out that the core conflict remains between Israel and Hamas.

The official noted that the wide gap in positions between Israel and Hamas on ending the war makes any comprehensive agreement unlikely at this stage.

Although the Israeli cabinet has instructed the military to prepare for an operation to occupy Gaza City, the offensive is not expected to commence immediately. Military planning, the evacuation of about one million Palestinian civilians, and preparations for humanitarian aid will require several weeks.

A senior Israeli official stated that the timing for the start of the operation remains unset, allowing additional time to pursue a diplomatic resolution.

During the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements were deliberately ambiguous, leaving open the possibility of halting the offensive if negotiations for a peace deal and hostage release progress. This uncertainty partly explains why ultranationalist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich opposed the cabinet’s decision.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the UK, Australia, Germany, Italy, and New Zealand issued a joint statement on August 8 condemning the Israeli cabinet’s decision. They warned that the offensive would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, endanger the lives of hostages, and risk mass displacement of civilians.

The ministers called on all parties and the international community to urgently work toward ending the war through an immediate and permanent ceasefire, coupled with the unconditional release of all hostages.