Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure a truce in Gaza and a release of hostages have stalled, according to Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been engaged in talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The mediators had hoped to secure a ceasefire before the start of Ramadan, but progress repeatedly faltered. Instead, fears have grown of the conflict in Gaza escalating into a regional conflict after Iran’s direct attack on Israel over the weekend.
Doha had warned about the expansion of the conflict and called on the international community to stop the war. The people of Gaza are facing siege and starvation, with humanitarian aid being used as a political tool.
The war began with an attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in about 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians. Israel retaliated with an offensive that has killed 33,899 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.
Palestinian militants seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the attack, with 129 remaining in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.
