Middle East: Diplomacy, Gaza Violence & Ceasefire Talks

Ceasefire Talks Pick Up Steam
Under intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to mediate a deal following nearly 21 months of war in Gaza, Israel has dispatched a high-level delegation to Qatar for resumed ceasefire talks with Hamas.

A 60-day ceasefire, the partial release of Israeli hostages, and more humanitarian aid for Gaza are the main features of the U.S.-backed plan. Although Hamas has expressed a “positive response,” it is still demanding assurances that the ceasefire will result in a permanent cessation of hostilities and Israel’s complete disengagement, demands that Israel presently rejects.
Pressure from the United States and his far-right coalition partners, who are against a ceasefire, is being applied to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he travels to Washington for his third meeting with Trump in six months.