Israel has returned its negotiators from Doha, declaring mediated discussions on a Gaza truce “at a dead end” owing to Hamas demands, according to a senior Israeli source on Tuesday.
The person, who is close to the Mossad spymaster in charge of the discussions, accused Hamas’ Gaza commander Yahya Sinwar of obstructing the negotiations “as part of a larger effort to inflame this war over Ramadan.”
The warring parties had intensified discussions, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week postponement of Israel’s attack in exchange for the proposed release of 40 of the 130 hostages held by the Palestinian terrorist organization in Gaza.
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Hamas has attempted to leverage any agreement into an end to violence and the evacuation of Israeli troops. Israel has ruled this out, stating that it will begin attempts to remove Hamas’ administration and military capabilities.
Hamas also wants to enable hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who left Gaza City and neighboring regions southward during the first stage of the almost six-month-old conflict to return north.
According to the Israeli source, Israel had promised to boost the number of Palestinians it would release in exchange for the hostages, from 700 to 800, and to enable some displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office claimed on Tuesday that Hamas had made “delusional” demands, indicating that the Palestinians were not serious in a compromise.
A mob of over 300 hostage family members and supporters gathered outside Israel’s defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, asking that a compromise be reached to free the detainees. Some people locked themselves inside cages to protest, clutching banners with images of their loved ones. “No price is too high,” one of the signs read.
Hamas has accused Israel of postponing the talks while it conducts its military onslaught.
The talks in Doha are ongoing while Palestinians in Gaza suffer severe food, medical, and hospital shortages, raising worries that starvation will strike.
