US And Israel Withdraw Teams From Ceasefire Negotiations, Hamas Value Has No Good Intention

JAKARTA - Israel and the United States withdrew their delegation from Gaza's ceasefire negotiations for consultation on Thursday.

United States envoy Steve Witkoff accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the negotiations.

This marks the latest setback in a bid to reach an agreement that will bring a ceasefire to Gaza, secure the release of Israeli hostages detained by Hamas, and provide relief to Palestinians suffering from an increasingly deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

Witkoff said the mediators had made great efforts, but "Hamas doesn't seem to be coordinated or acting in good faith".

"We will now consider alternative options to repatriate the hostages and try to create a more stable environment for the Gazan people," he wrote in X.

An Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said Hamas' response to the latest ceasefire proposal "does not allow for progress without concessions" from the group, but Israel intends to continue discussions.

Earlier that day, there were some signs of real progress in mediation.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters there was still a chance to reach a ceasefire agreement, but it would take several days because of what he called a delay by Israel.

A senior Israeli official has been quoted by local media as saying the new text is something Israel can follow up on.

However, Israel's Channel 12 says a quick deal is unlikely, with the gap between the two sides, including where the Israeli military should step down during the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Hamas said he was surprised by Witkoff's statement, adding the group's position had been welcomed by the mediators and had opened the door to a comprehensive deal.

"This movement affirms its desire to continue negotiations and engage in it in a way that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement," Hamas added in a statement on Friday morning.

Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure at home and abroad to reach an agreement after nearly two years of war, with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israelis concerned about the conditions in which the hostages were detained.

Separately, the Hostage Family Forum, which represents the families of the hostages who dumped them in Gaza, expressed concern over the withdrawal of the Israeli team.

"Every day that passes jeopardizes the chances of the hostages recovering and risks losing their ability to find victims who fall or get important intelligence information about them," he said.