In brief
Benjamin Netanyahu's meetings in Washington aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza ended without resolution, as key issues remain unresolved, including the future of hostages and disarmament conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned home from Washington without a truce agreement with Hamas in Gaza. His discussions with U.S. officials, including President Trump, highlighted the unresolved challenges surrounding a potential ceasefire. Key topics still in contention include the duration of a truce, Israel's withdrawal from certain occupied regions, and aid distribution in Gaza during a ceasefire.Before departing, Netanyahu mentioned his proposal for a two-month truce involving the release of half of the approximately 50 hostages held by Hamas, both the living and deceased. However, he emphasized that Hamas must relinquish its weapons before any peace negotiations could proceed. “Our fundamental conditions are clear: Hamas must disarm and demilitarize Gaza,” he stated. Hamas, on the other hand, firmly rejected this disarmament prerequisite. Senior official Basem Naim declared that disarmament would “never” be up for negotiation, leaving the future talks uncertain. The situation in Gaza continues to be precarious as mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar search for viable compromises.
