By Emeka Blast 
Ceasefire Talks Stall: U.S. Withdraws, Holds Hamas Responsible
The United States has abruptly pulled its negotiating team from Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a “selfish” stance that shows a “lack of desire” to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza. The decision, announced Thursday, July 24, 2025, followed Israel’s recall of its own negotiators, signaling a major setback in efforts to secure a truce and release hostages amid Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, where over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Witkoff, in a statement posted on X, said, “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.” The move came hours after Hamas submitted a response to a US-brokered proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which included the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased aid. Hamas reportedly demanded the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for killing Israelis—up from 125—and 2,000 additional detainees, terms Israel deemed “unacceptable.”
Hamas expressed surprise at Witkoff’s remarks, claiming mediators Egypt and Qatar were satisfied with its “constructive” stance. A Palestinian source told Reuters that Hamas sought stronger guarantees for a permanent end to the war, full Israeli troop withdrawal, and unrestricted aid flow, accusing Israel of stalling. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while recalling his team, insisted Israel remains committed to a deal but accused Hamas of blocking progress. Key sticking points include Israel’s insistence on maintaining control over Gaza’s Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors and its refusal to end the war until Hamas disarms, a condition Hamas rejects.
The collapse of talks, which began July 6, follows a pattern of stalled negotiations, with previous truces in January and March 2025 collapsing. The humanitarian toll in Gaza has intensified, with the World Health Organization reporting “man-made mass starvation” and over 115 malnutrition deaths since October 2023, including 21 children under five this year. Over 100 aid groups, alongside 28 nations including the UK and Canada, have condemned Israel’s aid restrictions, though the US and Israel blame Hamas for prolonging the conflict and diverting aid. Social media reactions on X, like @AP’s post, “Trump envoy Witkoff says the U.S. team is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar because Hamas is not ‘acting in good faith,’” reflect frustration, while @jeremyscahill accused Israel of pushing a “false narrative” on the talks.
Analysts suggest the US withdrawal may be a tactical move to pressure Hamas, but State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott offered no clarity on “alternative options” for securing the release of the 50 remaining hostages, fewer than half believed to be alive. The war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,219 Israelis and took 251 hostages, continues to devastate Gaza, with recent Israeli strikes killing 138 Palestinians in 24 hours, per local reports.
