Washington’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said his team would now examine ‘alternative options’ to secure the return of the remaining hostages
July 25, 2025 09:25
The US has pulled out of Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of failing to act “in good faith”.
Washington’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, wrote on X: “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”
While mediators Qatar and Egypt "have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," Witkoff stated.
This may be a reference to reports that the Hamas representatives in Doha overcame some of the key sticking points in negotiations with Israel – such as the extent of IDF withdrawals and the administration of the aid distribution system – but could not contact the group’s leadership in Gaza to receive sign-off.
It has been reported for some time that there is a split political leadership, most of whom live in Qatar and are said to favour compromise, and the military commanders in the Strip, who are understood to take a harder line.
"It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way," Witkoff added, emphasising that Washington remains "resolute" in achieving peace.
However, he said that the US will now “consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza".
He did not clarify what these “alternative options” might be.
The announcement came shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that, "in light of the response delivered by Hamas this morning," Jerusalem had also decided to recall its negotiators for consultations.
The Jewish state appreciates "efforts by the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, and the efforts of envoy Witkoff, to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations," the PMO statement added.
Speaking at a state memorial ceremony for Revisionist Zionist leader Ze'ev Jabotinsky on Thursday night, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he remained "determined to achieve all war aims," including the return of all hostages and Hamas' total defeat.
"If Hamas understands our readiness to reach a deal as weakness, as an opportunity to dictate terms of surrender to us that will endanger Israel, it is greatly mistaken," the prime minister declared in his remarks.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel confirmed that its delegation in Doha had received Hamas's reply to the latest proposal for a hostage deal and ceasefire agreement, which it said was being carefully assessed.
Since early July, Israel and the terrorist organisation have been engaged in indirect negotiations to revive the agreement that collapsed in March.
If Hamas does not take the proposal on offer, "Israel is going to take some kinetic action," US Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler had warned in an interview with CNN on Sunday evening.
The envoy said he was "optimistic" that a ceasefire agreement could be reached, because Witkoff "has been leaning in really closely on a deal and he's done it with Israel".
When asked what it would take for Hamas to agree to a deal, Boehler claimed that "these are down to little details".
"I would say that Israel at this point is bending over backward," he said. "They're redrawing maps."
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