DOHA, Qatar — Talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza appeared to falter on Saturday, with negotiators struggling to bridge deep divisions over the scope and timing of an Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials familiar with the discussions.
The indirect negotiations, taking place in Doha and backed by the United States, have now stretched into a seventh day. The proposal under discussion involves a 60-day pause in fighting, a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners, and steps toward a broader cessation of hostilities. President Donald J. Trump has said he hopes a breakthrough is imminent.
But progress has stalled, with both sides accusing the other of intransigence.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy, blamed Hamas for what he described as “stubborn positions” that have prevented mediators from advancing a framework agreement. Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of presenting unworkable demands and refusing to commit to a full withdrawal or a path toward ending the war.
A Palestinian official with knowledge of the talks said Hamas rejected Israeli-drafted maps that would leave roughly 40 percent of Gaza—particularly the southern city of Rafah and significant portions of the northern and eastern regions—under continued Israeli control. Two Israeli sources said Hamas is seeking a return to positions held during the November ceasefire, prior to Israel’s renewed military offensive in March.
Disagreements also persist over the delivery and coordination of humanitarian aid, as well as long-term security guarantees and the future of Gaza’s governance.
Fatal Shooting Near Aid Distribution Site
As the diplomacy faltered, the humanitarian crisis on the ground deepened. Medics in Gaza said at least 17 people were killed Saturday when Israeli troops opened fire near a food aid distribution site, in what witnesses described as the latest in a series of mass-casualty shootings linked to relief efforts.
Witnesses told Reuters that several people were shot in the head and torso as they waited for food assistance. Reporters saw multiple bodies wrapped in white shrouds outside Nasser Hospital, where grieving relatives gathered.
The Israeli military said troops had fired warning shots during a “chaotic and potentially threatening” incident but claimed there was no evidence that Israeli fire had caused any casualties. The incident remains under internal review.
The United Nations has estimated that more than 800 people have been killed in recent weeks in connection to aid distribution efforts that rely on a U.S.-backed airdrop and convoy system, which humanitarian organizations have called inadequate and dangerous.
Political Stalemate
At the heart of the stalled talks is a core disagreement: Hamas has insisted that any agreement must include a permanent end to the war. Israel has maintained that hostilities will not cease until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled as a military and political force.
A Palestinian negotiator said the crisis might be defused with stronger intervention from Washington, particularly around security guarantees and the enforcement of any ceasefire agreement.
With no agreement in sight, and casualties mounting, international pressure is likely to grow on both sides to move toward a resolution. But as of Saturday night, negotiators remained locked in what one official called “a hard diplomatic deadlock.”
