A new round of negotiations aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the war in Gaza and preventing the fighting from escalating into a region-wide conflict has begun, as the death toll in the Palestinian territory reached a grim milestone of 40,000 people, according to local health authorities.
Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt met an Israeli delegation in the Qatari capital of Doha on Thursday afternoon, with talks expected to continue into the next day. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, is not directly participating in the talks, meaning expectations of a breakthrough are low.
While Hamas and Israel agreed in principle last month to implement a three-phase plan publicly proposed by Joe Biden in May, both sides have since requested “amendments” and “clarifications”, leaving talks at an impasse. Gaps include the continuing presence of Israeli troops on the Gaza-Egypt border, the sequencing of a hostage release, and the return of civilians from southern to northern Gaza.
Both sides aren’t arguing in good faith. Hamas is at a serious disadvantage as you are well aware but they have to resist acquiescing to Netanyahu’s constant moving the field goals. Their only hope is Harris wins the election and is convinced to reduce support to Israel or revoke their UN vetos which has imo low but at least non-zero odds.
Side note: No matter who wins the election they are constrained by a law that passed back in 2008 See QME I think that requires the US to ensure that Israel always has a ‘military advantage’ so that would have to get repealed first.
Edit: added citation