Hamas Skips Cease-Fire Talks in Qatar

High-level negotiations aimed at establishing a cease-fire in Gaza concluded without immediate success on Friday, as officials from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar announced that discussions would continue next week. The talks, held in Doha, sought to address lingering disagreements between Israel and Hamas amid fears of a broader regional conflict. Notably, Iranian officials indicated that Iran had opted to postpone any retaliatory actions against Israel to facilitate ongoing mediation efforts. During the talks, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani engaged with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, urging restraint and emphasizing the importance of de-escalation. The Qatari Foreign Ministry reported that both officials recognized the sensitive nature of the cease-fire negotiations. A joint statement from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. revealed that mediators had presented a bridging proposal aligned with terms previously endorsed by President Biden and the U.N. Security Council. However, tensions remain high, with Hamas accusing Israel of introducing new conditions to a previously agreed-upon proposal, while Israel contends that Hamas is stalling the return of hostages. The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt characterized the Doha talks as a final attempt to end the conflict, with experts suggesting that a truce could help mitigate escalating regional tensions. As the negotiations unfold, the potential for a wider conflict looms, particularly with Iran and Hezbollah threatening retaliation for recent killings linked to Hamas. The situation remains fluid, with both sides facing internal pressures that could impact the outcome of the ongoing discussions.