Decisive week for the 21-month war in Gaza? The world holds its breath waiting for the outcome of the negotiations and the US-Israel summit
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza entered a second day in Qatar on July 7, ahead of a crucial meeting in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
President Trump had previously expressed optimism that a deal could be reached this week.
Before leaving for Washington, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israeli negotiators had been given clear instructions to reach a ceasefire on terms acceptable to Israel.
The talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, resumed after a 12-day aerial confrontation between Israel and Iran last month.
The atmosphere of the talks was described in contrasting terms: one Israeli official described the atmosphere as “positive”, while Palestinian officials said that initial meetings on 6 July had ended “inconclusively”. Another Israeli official said humanitarian aid was discussed but did not provide further details.
The US-backed proposal being discussed includes a 60-day ceasefire that would see a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from some areas in Gaza, and discussions on ending the war altogether.
However, ending the war remains the biggest obstacle in the negotiations. Hamas demands a complete end to the conflict in exchange for the release of all hostages, while Israel insists it will continue fighting until Hamas is disbanded.
Politically, Mr Netanyahu faces opposition from hardline coalition partners to ending the fighting. But with Israelis increasingly weary after 21 months of war, his government is expected to support a ceasefire.
The war began on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on southern Israel that left about 1,200 people dead and 251 hostages. There are currently about 50 hostages in Gaza, of which about 20 are believed to be alive.
According to Gaza's health authority, Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, triggered a famine crisis and displaced almost the entire population.
