The White House announced that a new round of talks aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war has resumed in Doha and is expected to continue into Friday. The discussions will also focus on securing the release of numerous hostages, with a potential deal seen as the best hope of preventing a broader regional conflict.
The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are meeting with an Israeli delegation in Qatar, as the Palestinian death toll from the 10-month war has exceeded 40,000. A Palestinian official noted that Hamas would not be directly participating in Thursday’s talks, but its senior officials in Qatar remain open to discussing any proposals from the mediators, as they have in previous rounds.
A cease-fire in Gaza could help ease regional tensions and potentially dissuade Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah from launching retaliatory strikes against Israel, following the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in an Israeli airstrike and the death of Hamas’ top political leader in an explosion in Tehran.
For months, mediators have been working on a three-phase plan where Hamas would release hostages taken during the October 7 attack that triggered the war. In return, Israel would agree to a lasting cease-fire, withdraw its forces from Gaza, and release Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Latest Developments:
- Cease-fire Talks in Doha: Talks in Doha continue, with Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al Ansari confirming that discussions will resume Friday. He emphasized the mediators’ commitment to achieving a cease-fire that would facilitate the release of hostages and allow for significant humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- Israeli Settler Attack Condemned: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military quickly condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a Palestinian village in the West Bank, which resulted in at least one death and one injury. The attack, in the village of Jit near Nablus, was part of a series of settler incursions since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7. The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the attack.
- UN Chief on Palestinian Death Toll: The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the reported death toll of over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza is likely an undercount. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq stressed the urgent need for a cease-fire, the release of all hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. The Gaza Health Ministry reported the death toll on Thursday, and the U.N. urges all parties in the Doha talks to reach an agreement for peace.
