The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are anxiously waiting for a breakthrough as talks on a ceasefire and hostage release deal have resumed in Qatar. The number of Palestinians reported killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 40,000, adding urgency to the negotiations.
An agreement is crucial to prevent the 10-month conflict from escalating into a full-blown regional war involving Iran. However, the expectations of a breakthrough are low as Hamas has decided not to participate directly in the talks in Doha. Mediators are expected to relay messages to Hamas officials based in Qatar.
Israeli media reports indicate that the country’s negotiating team has been given an expanded mandate and officials have labeled this as the “last chance” to secure a deal. The talks face several potential sticking points, including control of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt and the return of displaced Palestinian civilians to northern Gaza.
The talks were suspended following the assassination of Hamas’s political leader and chief negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel, raising fears of a wider escalation. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to an attack on southern Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt are working towards a framework agreement that would bring relief to the Palestinians in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages. The deal proposed by US President Joe Biden includes a ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and the exchange of hostages.
The situation remains tense as both sides stand firm on their demands. The international community is closely watching the negotiations, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the safe return of the hostages.
