Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he is sending a negotiating team to Qatar for talks on a truce in Gaza. However, he concurrently rejected Hamas’s earlier ceasefire proposals, deeming them “unacceptable.”
“The changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel,” stated a release from Netanyahu’s office. Despite this rejection of the proposed amendments, the statement continued: “In light of an assessment of the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed that the invitation to proximity talks be accepted and that the contacts for the return of our hostages — on the basis of the Qatari proposal that Israel has agreed to — be continued.” The negotiating team is set to depart for the talks in Qatar on Sunday.
Hamas had announced late on Friday that it was ready to begin talks “immediately” on a US-sponsored proposal for a Gaza ceasefire. While Hamas has not publicly detailed its specific demands, Palestinian sources close to the discussions have indicated that Hamas’s proposed changes include demands for guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, as well as the return of a UN-led aid distribution system. Israel has consistently rejected a permanent ceasefire that would leave Hamas in control of Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has been making a renewed push to end the nearly 21-month war in Gaza. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday for discussions that are expected to focus heavily on the Gaza conflict. Trump has publicly stated his intention to be tough on Netanyahu, hoping to leverage the momentum from the recent truce between Iran and Israel to secure a ceasefire in the devastated Palestinian territory as well.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the local Ministry of Health reporting at least 57,012 Palestinians killed and 134,592 injured since October 2023. This includes a significant number of casualties among those trying to access humanitarian aid, with over 640 fatalities reported in such incidents since late May 2025. The UN and other aid organizations continue to face significant challenges in delivering aid, with many expressing concerns over militarized distribution sites.
*
Email *
Website
