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No progress in first round of Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks: Palestinian sources
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The first session of indirect ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel, held in Qatar, ended without a breakthrough, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said early Monday. The sources added that the Israeli delegation lacked the authority to reach an agreement with Hamas.
The talks resumed on Sunday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since US President Donald Trump returned to office nearly six months ago.
'After the first session of indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorized to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers,' the sources told Reuters.
Read More: Israel to send delegation to Qatar for Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal talks
Netanyahu, before departing for Washington, said Israeli negotiators had clear instructions to pursue a ceasefire under conditions previously accepted by Israel.
On Saturday evening, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv's public square near the defence ministry headquarters to demand a ceasefire deal and the return of approximately 50 hostages still held in Gaza. Demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted slogans, and held posters with images of the hostages.
The current wave of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Around 20 of those hostages are believed to still be alive. While many have been released through diplomatic efforts, others were recovered by Israeli military operations.
Gaza's health ministry reports that Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, caused widespread displacement, created a severe hunger crisis, and left much of the territory in ruins.
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