The United States and Israel have cut short talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff claiming that the latest proposal from Hamas showed “a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.”
The announcement that the talks ended early was made by Witkoff on Thursday, just hours after Israel said it had also recalled its negotiating team from Qatar. According to Witkoff, the US believes that militant group Hamas is not negotiating seriously, saying that the group’s response to talks in Doha was indicative of an unwillingness to end the fighting.
“Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
In a statement, Hamas said it was surprised, stating: “The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement.”
The collapse of the talks comes amid efforts from Witkoff to restore the fragile ceasefire which fell apart in March. Since then, Israel has placed Gaza under near total siege. This week, the United Nations said that starvation is “knocking on every door” in Gaza, as deaths from malnutrition soar.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, 101 people, among them 80 children, have died in recent days from starvation. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres called the situation a “horror show”.
Assessments from the World Food Programme estimate that a quarter of the population is facing famine-like conditions, with nearly 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and needing treatment as soon as possible. A third of Gaza’s population of over two million people is estimated to go without food for multiple consecutive days.
“We need look no further than the horror show in Gaza. In the level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times,” Guterres said during the UN Security Council this week.
“Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door. Now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles.
“Around the world, we see an utter disregard for, if not (an) outright violation of, international law.”
It is not yet clear what steps Washington will now take to bring the war to a close. Witkoff accused Hamas of acting “in this selfish way,” adding: “We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”
On Wednesday, Hamas submitted a response to an Israeli and U.S. proposal to temporarily provide for a ceasefire, however the details were not clear nor made public by any of the parties present at the negotiations.
It comes as French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that France is to recognise a Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly in September. In a statement, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog slammed the step, saying it “will not advance peace in the Middle East and will not help defeat the threat of terror.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also critical of the plan, saying it was “reckless” and counterproductive to peace efforts.
“The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly,” Rubio said on social media. “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.”
Meanwhile, the U.K.’s Foreign Minister David Lammy said the current situation in Gaza is “indefensible,” while calling for a ceasefire.
“The sight of children reaching for aid and losing their lives has caused consternation over much of the world. And that is why I repeat my call today for a ceasefire,” Lammy said in a joint news conference with the Australian defence minister in Sydney on Friday.
“The deteriorating situation we’ve seen in Gaza over the last few weeks is indefensible.”