Qatar Still Awaits Israel’s Response to Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Doha — Qatar confirmed on Tuesday that it is still waiting for Israel’s official response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, despite Hamas accepting the framework more than a week ago.

The deal, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, outlines an initial 60-day truce and a phased exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has remained firm on its demand for the release of all hostages at once before considering a long-term ceasefire.

“We are still waiting for an answer from Israel,” said Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry. “The statements we are hearing right now do not fill us with confidence.”

Hamas announced last week that it had accepted the latest ceasefire plan following negotiations in Cairo. The proposal closely mirrors an earlier version presented by **US envoy Steve Witkoff**, which mediators say Israel had previously shown openness toward.

But while international mediators awaited Israel’s reply, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared he had instructed his team to pursue new negotiations “for the release of all our hostages.”

Netanyahu also reaffirmed plans for a renewed Israeli military offensive targeting Gaza City, raising concerns among mediators.

Qatari officials stressed that they view statements outside the official negotiation process as political maneuvering rather than serious commitments.

“The responsibility now lies with the Israeli side to respond to the offer already on the table,” Ansari said. “Anything else is political posturing.”

Referring to Israel’s military build-up in Gaza, he added: “We do not see a positive trajectory coming out of this escalation.”

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