Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government is considering alternative options to ceasefire talks with Hamas after Israel and the U.S. recalled their negotiating teams, causing further uncertainty in the negotiations. Hamas officials said negotiations were expected to resume next week, and President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, portrayed the recall of the Israeli and American delegations as a pressure tactic. Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks alongside the United States, said the pause was temporary and that talks would resume, though they did not say when.
The teams left Qatar on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Hamas’ latest response to proposals for a deal showed a “lack of desire” to reach a truce. Witkoff said the U.S. will look at “alternative options,” without elaborating. Netanyahu echoed Witkoff, saying, “Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal.” He said that together with U.S. allies, they are now considering alternative options to bring their hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule, and secure lasting peace for Israel and the region.
A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration as experts warn Gaza is being pushed closer to famine, after months of Israel entirely blocking food or letting in only limited amounts. More than two dozen Western-aligned countries and more than 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war, harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out.
