Israel has 'made significant strides' in Qatar talks, Hamas is curbing progress
Israel has made "significant strides" in its efforts to reach a hostage deal; however, Hamas is hindering a breakthrough, an Israeli official said Friday, after 12 days of intensive negotiations in Doha, Qatar.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, an updated proposal was presented to both sides by the mediators, but talks remain tense and fraught with obstacles.
The official clarified that despite the difficulties, the Israeli delegation remains in Qatar. 'It's not a matter of optimism or pessimism,' the official said. 'But we must be realistic about Hamas's conduct.'
According to the official, Israel remains committed to exhausting all remaining avenues within the negotiation framework, though concerns about the process are growing: 'We question Hamas's seriousness. We are approaching a critical juncture. Hamas's foot-dragging - even if it believes it serves its interests - may ultimately work against it.'
A key sticking point is Hamas's refusal to proceed to discussions on the so-called 'key issue' - referring to the identity and number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages - until an agreement is reached on the deployment of Israeli troops in Gaza. The parties continue to struggle over the maps that were presented.
The official stressed that Israel will not return to force deployments along the January or March lines. 'There is no basis for that in any stage of the negotiations.'
Netanyahu allowing considerable leeway in negotiations
Israeli delegation arrived in Qatar with a broad mandate and considerable operational leeway from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official continued. 'Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer are in constant contact with the delegation.
"The flexibility and constructive approach shown by Israel in the negotiations are not matched by Hamas,' the official said.
In parallel, a separate humanitarian dialogue channel was opened last week in Egypt to advance humanitarian aspects of the deal. According to the official, there has been some progress on that front — but the road to an agreement remains challenging.
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