Hamas shows lack of desire to reach Gaza ceasefire, says Trump envoy

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that the United States would cut short the latest round of ceasefire talks and bring its negotiating team back from Qatar for consultations. Witkoff attributed the halt in discussions to Hamas's response, which he claims demonstrates a lack of commitment to achieving a ceasefire. This breakdown of talks reflects a wider context in which Hamas is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza. Witkoff pointed out that despite efforts by mediators, it appears that Hamas is not acting in good faith and remains disorganized in its approach. As a result, the U.S. is now exploring alternative options to facilitate the return of the hostages while aiming to foster a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. The situation on the ground is dire, with reports indicating that children in Gaza are suffering from starvation due to the lack of humanitarian aid as a result of the blockade imposed by Israel. Major news organizations have reported that journalists in the territory are also facing threats of starvation, while humanitarian agencies are warning of an increase in malnutrition among the population. UNICEF has documented that since the start of the war, over a hundred people, mostly children, have died from malnutrition, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and aid delivery. Amid these challenges, Israel claims to be allowing sufficient aid into Gaza, attributing the failures of aid distribution to U.N. agencies. The conflict has created an environment where basic healthcare is severely compromised, further exacerbating the health crisis in the region. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the international community continues to question the effectiveness of the current diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and address the urgent needs of the people in Gaza.