Trump accuses Hamas of causing the breakdown of the ceasefire, disregards France's recognition of Palestine
In a troubling turn of events, ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have hit a roadblock, with both parties withdrawing from the talks over the issue of hostages. This development comes as a growing humanitarian crisis unfolds in the Gaza Strip, where one in four women and children are reported to be undernourished by Doctors Without Borders.
The impasse arose when Israel recalled its delegation due to Hamas's expanded prisoner release demands, which exceeded the previously accepted framework. Hamas, on the other hand, insists it had reached broad agreement with mediators and positive responses from Israel before the withdrawal.
The worsening conditions in Gaza are a cause for concern. Aid agencies warn that air deliveries are dangerous and inadequate, and more than 100 aid groups have warned of growing starvation in Gaza, with one in five children in Gaza City now malnourished, according to the UN.
Israeli officials stressed that the talks are not over but time is running out for a ceasefire. There is disagreement over humanitarian aid distribution, with Hamas insisting on UN control versus more limited Israeli frameworks.
The war in Gaza has claimed 59,676 Palestinian lives, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The October 2023 Hamas attack killed 1,219 people in Israel, also mostly civilians. Of the 251 hostages taken, 49 remain in Gaza, 27 of them presumed dead.
The US has pulled its delegation from the Doha-based negotiations for consultations, while the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended France's decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, stating it stands against Hamas's rejection of a two-state solution and aligns France "with the side of peace against the side of war."
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in Gaza as a "moral crisis that challenges the global conscience." The temporary suspension of talks for internal consultations is considered a normal part of complex negotiations of this nature by the mediators.
Despite criticism, Israel stated that airdrops will resume in the coming days, coordinated by the UAE and Jordan. However, aid groups claim the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has failed to safely deliver aid, with over 750 Palestinians killed near its distribution sites since May.
The mediators urge all parties to remain engaged in the process and reiterate their commitment to securing an agreement that would end the conflict and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation in Gaza continues to be a complex impasse with growing humanitarian urgency but no immediate resumption of progress in sight.
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