Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to bridge the divide between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Doha on Wednesday with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss changes they say Hamas is suggesting to the latest proposal. They say they will keep trying to “close this deal.”
Blinken has not said what those changes are, but he said some of them are “workable” and some not. He added that Hamas “cannot and will not be allowed” to decide the future for the region and its people.
Al-Thani said it is taking too long to “bridge these gaps,” and they need to get the stalemate “to an end” as soon as possible. He said, at times, the behavior of both sides has been “counterproductive.” He added that their “focus” is to put an end to the war.
Israeli leaders want all hostages to be released and say they are committed to “eliminating” Hamas. The militants want a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a permanent end to the fighting.
Residents say the negotiations are a “deception.” One man told NHK he cannot believe anyone anymore. He added that he tried to do so several times, but “every time” President Joe Biden talks about a ceasefire, the Israelis attack “even more.”
Another man said he only wants a ceasefire and the return of displaced people to their homes, reconstruction and the delivery of food aid.
The World Health Organization warned that a “significant proportion” of the population is facing “catastrophic hunger.” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there have been reports of more food aid being delivered, but there has not been “any evidence” that it is getting to those in need.