News / Palestine

Israel dragging feet in responding to Gaza truce proposal: Qatar

Tuesday, 26 August 2025 6:09 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 26 August 2025 6:09 PM ]

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari holds a press conference in Doha on August 26, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman says the ball is now in Israel’s court regarding Gaza ceasefire talks, voicing concern that the regime seems unwilling to respond to a truce and captive release proposal already accepted by Hamas over a week ago.

“The statements [from Israel] that we are hearing right now do not fill us with confidence,” Majed al-Ansari said, describing the latest deal as “almost identical” to a previous US-backed plan.

He said that they are still waiting for Israel’s response, emphasizing there has been no official reply, neither acceptance, rejection, nor an alternative proposal.

The mediators’ latest offer includes an initial 60-day truce combined with staggered exchanges of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has appeared reluctant to budge from its demand that all captives be released at once.

While not directly addressing the proposal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced instructions for new negotiations aimed at the release of captives under conditions acceptable to Israel. He also reaffirmed plans for an Israeli army advance to seize Gaza City.

Israel responsible for lack of progress in ceasefire talks: Hamas chief

Ismail Haniyeh has held Israel responsible for the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Al-Ansari stressed that mediators do not “take seriously” announcements made outside the formal negotiation process.

“Anything else is political posturing by the Israeli side,” he commented.

However, he warned that escalating Israeli military operations on the ground continue to expand, cautioning that this will not yield positive outcomes.

He urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to reach an agreement.

Hamas and the Israeli regime have held several rounds of talks on an exchange of captives but to no avail.

Palestinians say the regime’s refusal to withdraw all of its troops from Gaza and ending the genocidal war is holding back progress on securing an agreement.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir