Israel Pulls Negotiating Team from Doha After Hamas Digs Its Heels In

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the return of the Israeli negotiating teams from Qatar, marking a collapse of the indirect talks with Hamas mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.

A source familiar with the details stated:

“The return of the delegation does not indicate a positive development; on the contrary. Hamas is creating obstacles, and the Prime Minister requested the delegation’s return for consultations.”

The Prime Minister clarified that the decision was made due to Hamas’s unacceptable response to Israel’s latest proposal. In his statement, he said:

“In light of the response Hamas sent to the mediators yesterday morning, it has been decided to bring back the negotiating team to Israel for further consultations.”

Hamas is demanding the release of 200 convicted terrorists serving life sentences for murder, along with 2,000 Palestinians arrested in Gaza since October 7, in return for 10 living hostages. This demand significantly exceeds Israel’s original proposal, which offered a ratio of 1/12.5 for living hostages (approximately 125 high-profile prisoners) and the release of about 1,200 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of the war. According to reports by journalists Amit Segal and Barak Ravid, Hamas specifically requested the release of twenty murderers with blood on their hands for each living hostage, alongside the 2,000 detainees.

Hamas also proposed amendments to Israel’s military withdrawal maps, demanding that Israeli forces remain within a 1,000-meter strip in northern Gaza, 800 meters in eastern populated areas, and 700 meters in southern populated zones, down from Israel’s proposed buffer zones of up to 1.5 kilometers. Additionally, Hamas rejected the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) for aid distribution, insisting on U.N. agencies and international organizations, and demanded guarantees that Israel would not resume fighting after the 60-day ceasefire, a condition Israel has resisted.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Egypt, Qatar, and Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, for their mediation efforts, stating:

“We appreciate the efforts of the mediators Qatar and Egypt, and the efforts of envoy Witkoff to achieve a breakthrough in the talks.”

Last night, Hamas sent an extreme objection to the mediators, which was so unacceptable that it was not even relayed to Israel. A revised response sent overnight was described by Israeli sources as providing a “basis” for talks, but the negotiations have now collapsed entirely. According to a Reuters report, Hamas’s demand for a clause preventing Israel from resuming fighting after the 60-day truce, even without a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, was a key sticking point.

Despite earlier reports of progress, with a senior Israeli intelligence officer noting on July 24, 2025, that Hamas’s response showed “something to work with,” the latest developments indicate a hardening of positions. Hamas’s demands, including control over the Rafah crossing and the release of high-profile prisoners like Marwan Barghouti, were seen as unfeasible by Israel, leading to the decision to recall the delegation for consultations.

The collapse follows weeks of indirect “proximity” talks in Doha, where mediators shuttled messages between the parties. The Israeli military resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, 2025, after a previous ceasefire collapsed. The talks aimed to secure the release of up to 20 living hostages and 30 bodies held by Hamas, but the wide gap in demands has halted progress.

Netanyahu’s office emphasized that Israel remains committed to its goals of dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and securing the release of all hostages, while mediators warn that the process is “hanging by a thread” without urgent compromise.