Israel, Hamas trade blame over stalled Gaza ceasefire talks

Talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza hung in the balance on Saturday (July 12) as both Hamas and Israel accused each other of obstructing efforts to end nearly 21 months of war. The deadlock comes amid ongoing negotiations in Qatar and intensifying pressure from families of Israeli hostages to reach a deal.

A Palestinian source familiar with the indirect talks told AFP that Israel’s proposal to keep troops in parts of Gaza was preventing agreement on a 60-day pause in fighting. On the Israeli side, a senior political official accused Hamas of “refusing to compromise” and “sabotaging the negotiations”.

Disputed troop presence and mediation delay

A second Palestinian source said discussions had been delayed at the request of mediators until US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrives in Doha. One of the sticking points, according to the first Palestinian source, was Israel’s plan to maintain a military presence in more than 40 percent of Gaza, confining hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to a small zone near Rafah.

“Hamas’s delegation will not accept the Israeli maps… as they essentially legitimise the reoccupation of approximately half of the Gaza Strip and turn Gaza into isolated zones with no crossings or freedom of movement,” the source said.

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Israeli media reported that new maps would be presented on Sunday, quoting a foreign official with knowledge of the matter.

The Israeli political official countered that Hamas was “creating obstacles” and said Israel had shown “a willingness to show flexibility in the negotiations”.

Deaths mount as strikes continue

As talks stalled, Gaza’s civil defence agency said over 20 people were killed across the territory on Saturday, including in an overnight airstrike on a site sheltering displaced people.

“While we were sleeping, there was an explosion… where two boys, a girl and their mother were staying,” said Bassam Hamdan, a resident of Gaza City. “We found them torn to pieces, their remains scattered.”

In southern Gaza, casualties were rushed to hospitals on donkey carts, stretchers or carried by hand. In Khan Yunis, bodies were laid out under plastic sheets outside the Nasser hospital.

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The Israeli military said it had attacked “approximately 250 terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip” over the past 48 hours, including “over 35 Hamas terror targets” near Beit Hanoun.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 57,882 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the war began. On the Israeli side, Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, and 251 hostages were taken. Israel says 49 hostages remain in captivity, including 27 confirmed dead.

Hostage families press for a deal

Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv, urging the government to finalise a deal for hostage release. “The window of opportunity… is open now and it won’t be for long,” said Eli Sharabi, who was freed in February.

Both Hamas and Israel have said that 10 hostages could be released if an agreement is reached. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated he would then be open to talks on a longer-term ceasefire, provided Hamas is disarmed.

Two previous ceasefires — one in November 2023 and another from mid-January 2024 — led to the release of 105 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

According to one Palestinian source, “some progress” has been made on the issues of prisoner release and humanitarian aid delivery.

Netanyahu, under growing pressure at home and abroad, reiterated this week that neutralising Hamas is essential for any long-term solution. “Failure to do so,” he warned, would leave Israel with no choice but to act “by force”.

With inputs from agencies