Hamas-Israel Talks Continue Overshadowed by Uncertainty

JERUSALEM, THURSDAY – Although the first phase of the ceasefire has relatively gone smoothly, the situation of uncertainty has actually intensified ahead of the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire. The less conducive situation began to appear since last Tuesday. The meeting was only attended by the Hamas negotiating team, while the Israeli negotiating team is still waiting for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return from his visit to Washington DC, United States.

As reported, Netanyahu is in the US to meet with President Donald Trump. In the meeting, they discussed several issues, particularly the Gaza issue. After the meeting, Trump revealed his idea of taking over Gaza and relocating the people of Palestine and Gaza.

The idea welcomed by Netanyahu immediately drew reactions from around the world. Several countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations opposed it, Thursday (6/2/2025).

Trump's stance could "endanger" the future of ceasefire negotiations. Moreover, last week, Israeli TV station Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu held a meeting on Friday evening to discuss the possibility of continuing military operations in Gaza.

The report cites several sources from senior Israeli officials. The sources said that Netanyahu appears to be pushing for the continuation of the war and has asked the Israeli military to present an operational plan.

The Hamas and Netanyahu administrations are both controlled by far-right groups that oppose a ceasefire. Nevertheless, they have stated their desire to reach a stage 2 ceasefire agreement.

So far, the Israeli side has emphasized that Hamas should not be in Gaza after peace is achieved. Hamas is the de facto government in the Gaza Strip. Members of Hamas have resumed organizing the lives of the community in the area following the implementation of the first stage of the ceasefire.

Hamas Spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua stated that Israel is obstructing the implementation of current humanitarian operations. Al-Qanoua also mentioned that Israel is disrupting the repair of hospitals, highways, well networks, and various infrastructures that have been destroyed in Israeli attacks over the past 15 months.

Israel has not responded to Al-Qanoua's allegations. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told MSNB's "Morning Joe" that Hamas was violating the ceasefire. "But we still have hope. We want to bring all the families home. We also have to protect the security of Israel," Haskel said.

Previously, the Times of Israel quoted the Wala News Agency as reporting, Saturday (1/2/2025), that Netanyahu would not send a negotiating team to Qatar after meeting with Trump. In the report, Netanyahu canceled at the last minute a meeting with the Director of the Israeli Foreign Intelligence Agency (Mossad) David Barnea, the Director of Domestic Intelligence Ronen Bar, and the liaison to the hostages Nitzan Alon, as well as senior negotiators.

Netanyahu is expected to remove the Shin Bet director from the negotiating team because he is not trusted, and is trying to derail the peace talks.

The next day, Sunday, (2/2/2025), Netanyahu left Israel for the US to meet Trump at the White House. Israeli negotiators are said to be sent to Qatar only after the meeting with President Trump is complete. The delay in the implementation of the negotiations is considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Phase 1 of the ceasefire is effective from January 19, 2025 for 42 days. In the agreement, negotiations for phase 2 of the ceasefire must begin 16 days after the phase 1 ceasefire is in effect.

Phase 2 is aimed at releasing all hostages and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.

"Contacts and negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire have begun," Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua said without providing details.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday morning it was preparing a high-level delegation in the Qatari capital Doha to continue peace talks.

On the same day Netanyahu was meeting Trump with the focus of talks on a ceasefire in Gaza and the possible normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia.

So far, the Phase 1 ceasefire has gone smoothly. However, as the Times of Israel notes, Netanyahu appears to want to continue the war in Gaza after the Phase 1 ceasefire ends. Pressure from the far-right in Netanyahu's government is pushing for a war rather than continuing the Phase 2 ceasefire process.

Lebanon's Al Manar news agency reported that a new Israeli delegation will be sent to Qatar next week. Netanyahu will hold a meeting with ministers after returning from the US to discuss the progress of a ceasefire that will include Trump.

While in Washington DC, Netanyahu also met with U.S. special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. According to Netanyahu's office, the meeting had a positive outcome. Witkoff is said to be speaking with senior officials from Qatar and Egypt. The two countries are mediators of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks. (Reuters)