The United States withdraws from negotiations: Hamas doesn't want a ceasefire

United States special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the withdrawal of the U.S. negotiating team from the peace talks on Gaza in Doha, Qatar, after considering that the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas did not show a clear intention to reach a ceasefire.

According to Witkoff, the latest response from Hamas's political leadership led Washington to withdraw its representatives for consultations, observing a "lack of willingness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza".

"We've decided to bring our team back from Doha for consultations following Hamas's latest response, which clearly demonstrates its lack of willingness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza," Witkoff posted on social media. He added: "Although the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas doesn't appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith."

Witkoff stated that the United States will evaluate "alternatives to bring the hostages back home and try to create a more stable environment for the population of Gaza".

The Israeli delegation also left the negotiations in Doha after receiving Hamas's proposal.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated in a statement that the representatives returned to hold "additional consultations" in response to the Islamist group's position.

The statement thanked the efforts of the mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, but did not provide further details on the reason for the withdrawal.

At a ceremony in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized that his willingness to reach an agreement "should not be interpreted as weakness."

"If Hamas interprets our willingness to reach an agreement as weakness, as an opportunity to impose surrender conditions that would endanger Israel, it is very mistaken," said Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Hamas's latest offer, according to sources consulted by the Israeli newspaper, included the exchange of 200 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for ten Israeli hostages, a proposal that the Israeli delegation considered "unreasonable".

In addition, disagreements persisted over the demands of the Palestinian group, which is calling for the complete withdrawal of the Israeli Army from the enclave and security guarantees to prevent a resumption of the military offensive.

Negotiations for a new ceasefire were reactivated weeks ago after the breakdown, on March 18, of the agreement reached in January.

Since then, the Israeli Army has resumed its offensive on Gaza.

Witkoff described Hamas's actions as "shameful" and reiterated the U.S. commitment to "seek an end to this conflict and a lasting peace in Gaza." The other mediating parties, Qatar and Egypt, continue trying to bring positions closer for an agreement that prioritizes the return of the hostages and the protection of the Gazan civilian population.