Stalled Ceasefire Talks in Doha Raise Concerns, as Netanyahu Pushes for Partial Hostage Deal
Ceasefire negotiations in Doha aimed at halting the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of Israeli hostages have stalled over the past 24 hours, according to a Friday evening report by Kan 11. Several critical issues remain unresolved, including the Israeli military’s withdrawal lines, the identities of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged, and international guarantees for a permanent end to the war.
While the talks have not collapsed entirely, no meaningful progress has been made—except in the area of humanitarian aid, where limited advancement was noted. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has yet to join the discussions in Doha, reportedly waiting for talks to reach a more conclusive phase before participating.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera published what it claimed to be an Israeli military deployment map for a potential ceasefire. The map reportedly shows Israel’s insistence on maintaining IDF forces along the Morag Axis, effectively keeping Rafah under Israeli control. Citing unnamed sources, Al Jazeera further alleged that this is part of a plan to relocate Gaza’s population to Rafah, potentially leading to their expulsion into Egypt or by sea—claims that remain unverified and have been denied by Israeli officials in the past.
The same report claims that Israel intends to retain control over 40% of Gaza, thereby preventing an estimated 700,000 Palestinians from returning to their homes and concentrating them in IDF-controlled zones.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to Israel on Friday after a four-day visit to Washington, addressed the hostages’ issue during his interview with Newsmax on Thursday. He confirmed that the proposed deal on the table involves the release of 10 living and 12 deceased hostages, leaving around 10 living and 18 dead in captivity.
“We now have a deal that supposedly we’ll get half of the living and half of the dead out… But I’ll get them out too. I hope we can complete in a few days,” he said, expressing cautious optimism. Netanyahu emphasized that the war could end immediately “if Hamas lays down its arms.”
During his Washington visit, Netanyahu met with the families of hostages, where he candidly acknowledged that a comprehensive deal to release all hostages is not currently possible. “We can’t get a comprehensive deal. There was no such option on the table,” he said, adding that Hamas determines which hostages are included in any proposed release.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu raised the hostage issue extensively in meetings with President Donald Trump and U.S. officials, stressing that “great efforts are made continuously to bring about the release of all of our hostages, both the living and the deceased.”
The current diplomatic impasse and alleged Israeli proposals regarding territorial control and displacement raise deep humanitarian and geopolitical concerns, casting uncertainty over the future of both the ceasefire and broader regional stability.
