Israel will not send a delegation to Qatar after Hamas requested changes to the US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s outline for a hostage deal, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
An Israeli official said, however, that “negotiations have not stopped, efforts of the mediators still continue.”
Israel is making it clear that, despite Hamas’ apparent “willingness” to continue negotiations, in practice, there is no change in the group’s position, and that the gaps with the Witkoff proposal remain.
Hamas’s response does not include a serious reference to the Witkoff proposal and presents new demands that deviate greatly from the Israeli line, Israeli sources said.
The additional demands include a ceasefire of up to seven years, a complete IDF withdrawal from the areas occupied since March, and the cancellation of the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
“Israel has agreed to the Witkoff framework as proposed – that is the official position,” a diplomatic source clarified. “Despite Hamas’ statements, there has been no significant change.”
Sources in Israel added that Hamas’s willingness to return to negotiations is seen as a purely tactical move designed to improve its international image.
“This is not an answer – it is a slammed door. Hamas’s response only distances us from an agreement,” Witkoff said in response to Hamas’s demands.
Tension between mediators US, Egypt
The US, Qatar, and Egypt are continuing mediation efforts in line with the Witkoff proposal.
However, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati held a phone call with Witkoff on Sunday that, according to Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, was significantly and noticeably tense, reflecting Egypt’s growing concerns that the war in Gaza will become an open war of attrition.
Egypt is concerned that the IDF’s continued military activity, particularly in Khan Yunis, will result in a redrawing of the demographic map in the south of Gaza, and the gradual pushing of Palestinians towards the border with Egypt, posing a direct threat to the country’s national security, Abdel Ati told Witkoff.
Additionally, Abdel Ati reportedly did not hesitate to blame Washington for part of the failure of the negotiations, as well as criticizing the way the US administration is conducting the negotiations.
Witkoff has asked American-Palestinian businessman Bishara Bahah to remain in Doha and continue talks with Hamas, in the hope that his presence will avoid a sense of finality or disconnect between the parties.
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