Amid an ongoing deadlock in negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered the return of the senior Israeli delegation from Doha, including Gal Hirsch and a senior official from the ISA (Shin Bet). A smaller Israeli team will remain in Qatar to signal to the Americans that Israel is still open to advancing a deal. However, Israeli officials emphasize that no progress has been made, Hamas has not shifted its position, and the current round of talks has run its course.
“Hamas continues to cling to its rejectionism”
The Prime Minister’s Office stated: “Israel accepts the American proposal for the return of the hostages, which is based on the Vitek framework. This proposal was recently passed to Hamas through the mediators, but so far, Hamas continues to cling to its rejectionism.”
Officials added that after roughly a week of intensive negotiations in Doha, the senior team will return to Israel for consultations, while working-level representatives will remain in Qatar for the time being.
“The primary obstacle to the deal is Hamas”
In an interview at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York, U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said: “Trump would have preferred to see the hostages already home – it’s a very important objective for him. That said, it doesn’t mean Israel should compromise on its security needs. The primary obstacle to the deal is Hamas.”
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for Israel’s position during an interview with CBS: “This war could end immediately. And Israel has made that clear – it could end immediately if Hamas surrenders, lays down its arms, disbands, and releases all the hostages, including the deceased.”
“If Hamas were to do that, this conflict would be over. That’s been true from the beginning. It’s been true for months. They’re the ones who chose not to accept the proposal,” Rubio added.
“Hamas will pay the price for its rejectionism”
Meanwhile, fighting continues in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. Earlier, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared: “Hamas will pay the price for its rejectionism – it will face overwhelming firepower. We will expand our ground maneuver, seize additional territory, clear and destroy terror infrastructure until its defeat. We are defending ourselves, and for that, we must strike.”
Zamir also emphasized: “Hamas has one option – to release our hostages. If a deal is reached, the IDF will know how to adjust its operations accordingly.”
