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Israel and Hamas are holding a second day of indirect talks in Qatar on Monday, as efforts intensify to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza ahead of a key meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
Trump has expressed optimism, saying a deal could be reached this week. Before leaving for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli negotiators had received “clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire under conditions that Israel has accepted.”
An Israeli official described the atmosphere at the Qatar talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, as “positive” so far. However, Palestinian officials noted that Sunday’s initial meetings ended without a breakthrough. A second Israeli official revealed that humanitarian aid for Gaza was discussed, though no details were provided.
The renewed negotiations follow last month’s 12-day Israeli air campaign against Iran, Hamas’s main backer. The current U.S.-supported proposal calls for a 60-day truce that would see hostages released in stages, Israeli troops withdrawing from parts of Gaza, and talks to permanently end the conflict.
Past talks have faltered over the central issue of ending the war. Hamas demands a full cessation of hostilities in exchange for releasing all hostages, while Israel insists it will keep fighting until Hamas is dismantled. Although some members of Netanyahu’s hardline coalition oppose a ceasefire, growing public fatigue after 21 months of war has increased pressure on the government to back a deal.
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages. Roughly 20 of the 50 remaining hostages are believed to still be alive. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and has triggered a hunger crisis, mass displacement, and widespread destruction across the territory.
