Middle East crisis: Israel recalls ceasefire negotiators from Qatar, claiming Hamas ‘not interested’ in talks – as it happened
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Middle East crisis: Israel recalls ceasefire negotiators from Qatar, claiming Hamas ‘not interested’ in talks – as it happened
Loveworld / 3 hours
March 27, 2024
2 min read
Israel has withdrawn its negotiating team from Qatar, halting immediate efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages with Hamas. This decision follows a UN Security Council vote urging a ceasefire, which Hamas has rejected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel refuses to comply with what it perceives as unrealistic demands from Hamas. The statement emphasized that Hamas’s refusal to engage further in talks is seen as evidence of its disinterest and highlights the perceived negative impact of the UN Security Council resolution.
Hamas, in a statement issued late Monday, rejected the latest proposed deal, citing Israel’s failure to address its core demands for a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal from the Strip, return of displaced individuals, and a genuine prisoner exchange.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz remarked earlier on Tuesday that Hamas’s rejection of the deal was influenced by the UN Security Council’s ceasefire vote, implying that Hamas felt less urgency due to international pressure on Israel.
The UN Security Council resolution, passed on Monday, called for an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan and demanded the release of hostages by Hamas. This marked the first time a resolution concerning an Israel-Gaza conflict ceasefire managed to avoid being vetoed by one of the permanent members of the Security Council. Following the UN vote, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office canceled a planned visit to Washington by two of his ministers.
Ceasefire negotiations have reportedly been hindered by Hamas’s insistence on Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza during the ceasefire period. According to The Times of Israel, an Israeli source stated, “There is no one to talk to on the other side, and the Israeli negotiating team has no further purpose in Qatar.”
