The First Session Of Indirect Hamas-Israel Armistice Negotiations Ended Without Results

Israeli Military in Gaza Strip, Palestine (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - The first session of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel in Qatar ended without results, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said on Monday morning, adding the Israeli delegation did not have sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Negotiations resumed on Sunday, ahead of Israel's third visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, United States since President Donald Trump returned to power nearly six months ago.

"After the first session of the indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation was not authorized to reach an agreement with Hamas, because they (Israeli delegations) did not have real authority," the source told Reuters.

Earlier, PM Netanyahu said prior to his departure to Washington, Israeli negotiators who took part in ceasefire talks had clear instructions to reach a ceasefire agreement based on Israeli terms.

On Saturday evening, mobs gathered in a public square in Tel Aviv near the headquarters of Israel's Defense Ministry to call for a ceasefire and repatriation agreement of about 50 hostages still being held in Gaza. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, shouted chants, and carried posters containing photos of the hostages.

It is known that the latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 people dead and 251 others held hostage according to Israeli calculations.

Israel responded to this by blocking, airstrikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip region.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group agreed to a ceasefire and exchange of hostages and detainees on January 19.

On March 2, Israel again carried out a total blockade against Gaza under the pretext of pressuring Palestinian militant groups to agree on a ceasefire proposed by the United States and a exchange of hostages.

As the ceasefire agreement ended, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18.

About 20 hostages remain are believed to be alive. The majority of the initial hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations, although the Israeli military has also released several hostages.

As of yesterday, Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip since the latest conflict broke out have reached 57,418 and 136,261 others have been injured, according to a medical source in Gaza, quoted from WAFA.