By Samy Magdy and Wafaa Shurafa | Related Press
CAIRO — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Friday his authorities was contemplating “alternative options” to ceasefire talks with Hamas after Israel and the U.S. recalled their negotiating groups, throwing the way forward for the negotiations into additional uncertainty.
Netanyahu’s assertion got here as a Hamas official stated negotiations have been anticipated to renew subsequent week and portrayed the recall of the Israeli and American delegations as a strain tactic. Egypt and Qatar, that are mediating the talks alongside the US, stated the pause was solely momentary and that talks would resume, although they didn’t say when.
The groups left Qatar on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s particular envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated Hamas’ newest response to proposals for a deal confirmed a “lack of desire” to succeed in a truce. Witkoff stated the U.S. will have a look at “alternative options,” with out elaborating.
In an announcement launched by his workplace, Netanyahu echoed Witkoff, saying, “Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal.”
“Together with our U.S. allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule, and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region,” he stated. He didn’t elaborate. Israel’s authorities didn’t instantly reply as to if negotiations would resume subsequent week.
Stall in talks comes as starvation worsens
A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration as specialists warn Gaza is being pushed nearer to famine, after months of Israel fully blocking meals or letting in solely restricted quantities. This month, deaths associated to malnutrition have accelerated.
Extra then two dozen Western-aligned nations and greater than 100 charity and human rights teams have referred to as for an finish to the warfare, harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a brand new help supply mannequin it has rolled out. The charities and rights teams stated even their very own workers have been struggling to get sufficient meals.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced that France would acknowledge Palestine as a state. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” he stated.
Jordan has requested to hold out airdrops of help into Gaza “due to the dire situation,” a Jordanian official stated. The official stated the airdrops will primarily be meals and milk components.
An Israeli safety official stated the army was coordinating the drops, which have been anticipated within the coming days. The 2 officers spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the yet-to-be-finalized plans.
Determined Palestinians gathered at a charity kitchen in Gaza Metropolis on Friday, clutching empty pots ready for a share of watery lentil soup. Such kitchens distributing cooked meals have been a predominant supply of meals for a lot of Palestinians, however the variety of meals they produce each day has plummeted to 160,000 from greater than one million in April, based on the U.N.
“We’ve been living three months without bread,” stated one girl in line, Riham Dwas. “We’re relying on charity kitchens, surviving on a pot of lentils and there are many times when we don’t even have that.”
When she will be able to’t discover meals, she takes her youngsters to a hospital to be placed on saline IV drips for sustenance.
Mourners carry the our bodies of strike victims
An Israeli airstrike hit a school-turned-shelter for displaced folks in Gaza Metropolis, killing at the least 5 folks, together with an 11-year-old boy, based on hospital officers. Afterwards, dozens of mourners marched carrying the our bodies from Shifa Hospital as ladies close by screamed and wept.
“Enough!” screamed Taraji Adwan, whose son and grandson have been among the many useless. She stated the strike hit as she was filling up water jugs.
“Stop the war! Our children are dying from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, lack of food, strikes, and dying from fear and destruction. Enough, Hamas! Enough, Israel! Enough, world!” she stated.
The Gaza Well being Ministry stated round 80 folks have been killed since Thursday night time, largely in strikes however together with 9 killed whereas in search of help.
Talks have struggled over difficulty of ending the warfare
Hamas official Bassem Naim stated Friday that the group was instructed that the Israeli delegation returned residence for consultations and would return early subsequent week to renew ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas stated that Witkoff’s remarks have been meant to strain the group for Netanyahu’s profit throughout the subsequent spherical of talks and that in latest days negotiations had made progress. Naim stated a number of gaps had been almost solved, such because the agenda of the ceasefire, ensures to proceed negotiating to succeed in a everlasting settlement and the way humanitarian help can be delivered.
In a joint assertion, Egypt and Qatar additionally stated progress had been made. “It is a natural to pause talks to hold consultations before the resumption of the dialogue once more,” they stated.
The perimeters have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small indicators of progress however no main breakthroughs. Officers have stated a predominant sticking level is the redeployment of Israeli troops from positions in Gaza after any ceasefire takes place.
The deal below dialogue is predicted to incorporate an preliminary 60-day ceasefire by which Hamas would launch 10 dwelling hostages and the stays of 18 others in phases in trade for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Assist provides can be ramped up, and the 2 sides would maintain negotiations on a long-lasting ceasefire.
The talks have been slowed down over competing calls for for ending the warfare. Hamas says it should solely launch all hostages in trade for a full Israeli withdrawal and finish to the warfare. Israel says it won’t agree to finish the battle till Hamas offers up energy and disarms. The militant group says it’s ready to go away energy however not give up its weapons.
Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in numerous areas, together with tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces strategy.
Some 50 hostages stay in Gaza however fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their households say the start-stop talks are excruciating.
“I thought that maybe something will come from the time that the negotiation, Israeli team were in Doha,” stated Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held hostage. “And when I heard that they’re coming back, I ask myself: When will this nightmare end?”
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Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.
Initially Revealed: July 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM PDT
