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The United States has pulled out its delegation from Doha, where it was engaged in ceasefire talks this week, as confirmed by United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared that its negotiators in Doha would also be departing due to Hamas’s response. Witkoff had discussions with Israeli and Qatari officials in Rome on Thursday, as per reports.
“We have opted to bring our team back from Doha for consultations following the recent response from Hamas, which indicates a lack of willingness to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza,” stated Witkoff on Thursday.
“Despite the extensive efforts made by the mediators, Hamas does not seem to be cooperating or negotiating in good faith. We will now explore other options to bring the hostages back home and endeavor to establish a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
Hamas ‘Hardens’ Stance in Ceasefire Talks as Netanyahu Recalls Negotiation Team
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli and Qatari officials in Rome Thursday to secure a deal to end the war in Gaza. (Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Witkoff expressed disappointment over Hamas’s “selfish” actions and reiterated the U.S.’s steadfast commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region.
According to Israeli media reports, Hamas is now demanding the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for killing Israelis and an additional 2,000 Palestinians detained in Gaza after Oct. 7.
The demand surpasses the previous agreement facilitated by mediators, which involved the release of 125 life-term prisoners and 1,200 other detainees, reportedly accepted by Israel.
US-Backed Org Sounds the Alarm Over Abandoned Aid for Gaza, Calls for UN Collaboration
During a State Department briefing on Thursday, principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott declined to disclose any specifics regarding the “alternative options” being considered by the U.S. to bring back hostages and establish a more stable environment in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next to images of Palestinians in northern Gaza. (Reuters)
“At this point, there’s nothing more to share,” remarked Pigott to reporters.
Pigott was also questioned about whether the U.S. would engage within the Doha framework for future negotiations, which included representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Hamas, Israel, and the United States, but he refrained from providing any details on that matter.
“The special envoy’s statement speaks for itself, but it is crucial to consider the broader context here. Hamas has repeatedly violated ceasefires, showcasing their lack of commitment to reaching an agreement,” Pigott stated on Thursday. “Our dedication to a ceasefire has never wavered, but Hamas continues to demonstrate otherwise.”
The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas says Trump’s plan for the U.S. to rebuild Gaza is a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” (AP/Alex Brandon/Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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“Israel has consistently accepted proposed deals, while Hamas has consistently rejected them,” he emphasized.
At the State Department briefing on Thursday, it was also confirmed that the U.S. would not be participating in an upcoming United Nations conference discussing a potential two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
Fox News’ Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
