Hamas Says Ceasefire Talks May Resume Next Week/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are expected to resume next week, despite U.S. and Israeli withdrawal from recent talks. As Gaza’s humanitarian situation worsens, pressure mounts on Israel to lift its blockade. The proposed deal includes a 60-day ceasefire and phased hostage releases, but major obstacles remain unresolved.
Ceasefire Negotiations + Quick Looks
- Hamas says Israel will return to talks next week
- U.S. envoy accuses Hamas of stalling progress
- Talks paused after both U.S. and Israel withdrew
- Humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate
- 22 Palestinians killed in strikes and aid chaos
- Macron announces France will recognize Palestine
- Hostage release terms and troop redeployment are key sticking points
- Israel resists full withdrawal; Hamas refuses to disarm
- 50 hostages remain, fewer than half believed alive
- Aid groups demand end to blockade and war
Hamas Says Ceasefire Talks May Resume Next Week
Deep Look
After days of escalating violence and political posturing, Hamas announced Friday that ceasefire talks with Israel are expected to resume next week. The announcement came shortly after both Israel and the United States withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar, raising concerns that diplomacy had stalled once again.
Hamas official Bassem Naim stated that an Israeli delegation is expected to return for consultations early next week. This potential resumption comes after President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, criticized Hamas’ most recent proposals, calling them indicative of a “lack of desire” for peace. Witkoff also said the U.S. would begin evaluating “alternative options” to secure the release of hostages and bring stability to Gaza, though he did not specify what those alternatives might entail.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office mirrored the U.S. position, recalling its team while praising mediator efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and Witkoff. However, no clear timeline was given from Israeli officials for their return to the table.
The impasse in negotiations has been complicated by Gaza’s rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis. Aid groups and international organizations continue to warn of an imminent famine, citing Israel’s blockade and recent disruptions in food distribution. In the past week alone, more than two dozen countries and over 100 humanitarian and human rights organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access. Some aid workers in Gaza report they are struggling to secure enough food for themselves.
Adding to the diplomatic urgency, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would formally recognize Palestine as a state, emphasizing that ending the war and saving civilians must be an international priority.
In response, Hamas accused the Trump administration of attempting to pressure the group into concessions for Netanyahu’s political benefit. Naim said progress had been made in recent discussions, including narrowing gaps related to the ceasefire agenda, the structure of long-term negotiations, and the coordination of humanitarian aid delivery.
Despite these developments, Israel has yet to confirm that it will rejoin the negotiations next week.
The proposed agreement under discussion includes a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would begin releasing 10 living hostages, as well as the remains of 18 others, in multiple stages. In exchange, Israel would release imprisoned Palestinians and allow significantly increased aid deliveries into Gaza. The broader deal also includes provisions for further negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to hostilities.
One of the major unresolved issues remains the future positioning of Israeli troops in Gaza. Hamas insists that any agreement must lead to a full Israeli withdrawal and a complete end to military operations. Israel, however, refuses to commit to ending the conflict without Hamas relinquishing power and disarming. Hamas, in turn, has expressed willingness to step down from governing Gaza but refuses to give up its weapons.
The question of hostages continues to weigh heavily on both sides. An estimated 50 hostages are still being held in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive. Hamas has reportedly distributed hostages among various locations, including underground tunnels. The group has also warned that any close approach by Israeli troops could result in the hostages being executed.
Families of those still in captivity expressed their anguish over the slow progress and sudden halts in negotiations. “I thought that maybe something will come from the time that the Israeli team was in Doha,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son is among the hostages. “And when I heard that they’re coming back, I ask myself: When will this nightmare end?”
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes across Gaza continue unabated. Since Thursday night, at least 22 Palestinians have died, according to Nasser Hospital records. Some were victims of bombings; others died while trying to access humanitarian aid.
With more diplomatic and military tension expected in the coming days, both international pressure and domestic anxieties are pushing Israel and Hamas closer to either resuming talks — or risking further escalation in a region already stretched to its limits.
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