Why it matters:
The failure to reach a breakthrough prolongs the devastating conflict in Gaza, despite renewed momentum after Hamas accepted a new ceasefire proposal, raising concerns over Israel's intentions and the credibility of the negotiation process.
What he’s saying:
A Palestinian official told Saudi Arabia’s Al-Sharq TV that the Israeli delegation bears responsibility for the impasse. He claimed the Israeli team participated passively, merely listening without engaging, and referred every issue back to Tel Aviv for consultation. The official accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately stalling the process to prevent any meaningful agreement.
Key points:
- Palestinian officials blamed Israel for the deadlock, accusing its negotiation team of lacking authority and stalling discussions by avoiding direct engagement and deferring all decisions.
- A Palestinian official blamed Israel for the failure, citing its delegation’s lack of authority and refusal to negotiate directly.
Go deeper:
The negotiations had resumed Sunday following Hamas' formal acceptance of a truce proposal presented by mediators. Hamas, in a statement, said it had consulted internally and with other Palestinian resistance groups before accepting the proposal, and expressed full readiness to enter a new phase focused on implementation mechanisms. Despite this momentum, Israel’s approach marked by political caution and an apparent unwillingness to compromise has drawn criticism for undermining the chances of a ceasefire.
ahmad shirzadian
