Hamas keeps ‘throwing up obstacles’ in ceasefire talks – Israeli hostage families warn: ‘Don’t miss current momentum’

With ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations once again reportedly reaching a dead end, after days of proximity talks between Hamas and Israel in Qatar, the families of hostages are warning the Israeli government not to let the current momentum dissipate.

“Missing the current momentum will be a serious failure. Every day the war continues is an achievement for Hamas and a grave risk for our hostages and our fighters,” the Hostage Families Forum stated.

Addressing Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the statement continued: “All polls and data show that the overwhelming majority, including a decisive majority among coalition voters, wants an end to the fighting in Gaza and the return of all the hostages, and agrees this is an Israeli interest… 75% of the nation will not forgive you for prioritizing political interests over the national, ethical, and moral interest.”

An Israeli political source told local media outlets that the talks had continued throughout the Sabbath but accused Hamas of “throwing up obstacles.”

“The negotiation team is working with the mediators Egypt and Qatar and is in continuous contact with the Prime Minister and Minister Dermer. The Israeli team was sent to Doha based on the Qatari proposal, to which Israel agreed, and received the necessary mandate for the talks,” the source said.

The source further noted that Hamas had rejected the same proposal, accusing the terror group of “not compromising, and accompanying the talks with a psychological warfare campaign aimed at sabotaging the negotiations, presenting false narratives to the Gazan population, and pressuring the public in Israel.”

“Had Hamas accepted the Qatari proposal, an agreement could have been reached, and a 60-day negotiation on ending the war, in accordance with Israel's war objectives, could have begun,” he said.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israel will try to reenergize the talks by presenting a new proposal for the IDF’s redeployment along the Morag Corridor and the perimeter around Gaza – reportedly key points of contention

Another unresolved issue is the question of how aid will be delivered to the Strip. Hamas reportedly continues to insist on a return to the old model, where the United Nations and other aid organizations distributed the aid –though much of that aid was stolen by Hamas.

Egypt’s Al Ghad channel reported that Israel and Hamas also continue to argue over the type of guarantees that will be provided for the ceasefire, as well as the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released.

According to Al Arabiya, White House envoy Steve Witkoff will only join the negotiations in Doha once agreements on these issues appear to be within reach.

The current round of talks began last Sunday, mediated by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with senior Egyptian officials and U.S. representatives.

Earlier on Saturday, the British BBC quoted senior Palestinian sources, who claimed the talks were “on the verge of collapse.”

They further stated that Netanyahu’s visit to Washington last week was meant to “buy time,” while accusing him of not wanting to compromise any further.

Before boarding his return flight on Thursday, Netanyahu met met in Washington with several family members of Israeli hostages.

“We are determined to bring back everyone… I told them we are now attempting to achieve a release of half of the living and deceased hostages, in return for a temporary ceasefire of 60 days. In the beginning of that ceasefire we will enter negotiations on a permanent end to the war, that is, a permanent ceasefire,” he said.

“In order for us to achieve that, this has to be done on the minimal conditions that we've set: Hamas lays down its arms, Gaza is demilitarized, there are no longer any governing or military capabilities of Hamas. These are our fundamental conditions,” the prime minister said in a statement.

“We're dealing with a brutal terrorist organization. We of course would like to rescue everyone, and as far as we're concerned, all of the hostages are humanitarian cases. I wish to rescue everyone all at once. Here we are dealing with two stages, but the choice isn't always in our hands. We will do everything to maximize this release in the best way possible, but not everything is up to us.”