Hamas accused the Israeli government of stalling negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire on Wednesday, even as US President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve a truce.
Hamas stated on its Telegram channel that Israel is hindering negotiations in Doha by rejecting key demands. These demands include the provision of humanitarian aid, a complete military withdrawal from Gaza, and tangible guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.
The group confirmed it had agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages as part of efforts to support the ceasefire push.
“We continue to engage in responsible and intensive efforts to make the current negotiations successful,” the statement said, adding that the goal was to reach a comprehensive agreement that would “end the aggression against our people, ensure the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid, and alleviate the worsening suffering in Gaza.”
Core demands remain unresolved, Hamas said, specifically the flow of humanitarian assistance, the Israeli military withdrawal, and enforceable ceasefire guarantees.
“Despite the difficulty of these negotiations due to the Israeli government’s intransigence, we continue to work seriously and positively with mediators to overcome obstacles, end the suffering of our people, and fulfill their aspirations for freedom, security, and dignity,” the statement added.
The indirect talks in Doha have focused on a potential 60-day ceasefire deal under which Hamas would release the bodies of nine deceased Israeli captives and ten living detainees. According to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the announcement of the deal could come by the end of this week.
Trump, who met Netanyahu twice in Washington earlier this week, told reporters on Tuesday that there was a “very good chance” of a ceasefire agreement being reached this week or next.
“We have an opportunity this week or next,” Trump said, following reports by Sky News Arabia citing unnamed diplomatic sources that the US administration had already begun applying “intense pressure” on Israel to halt military operations in Gaza.
A senior US official confirmed that the pressure campaign began late Monday and would intensify in the coming days. A Middle Eastern diplomatic source also confirmed this, describing the atmosphere as “tense.”
Speaking to Fox News, Israeli PM Netanyahu said a ceasefire deal appeared “closer,” marking a departure from earlier statements.
He said the proposed agreement would span two months and accused Hamas of being responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reiterating that Israeli military actions were “acts of self-defense”.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu stated Israel “would not back down for a moment” and that “only military pressure can achieve this goal.” That statement came one day after he rejected the two-state solution, claiming a Palestinian state would “possess powers that threaten Israel.”
Sky News Arabia also quoted a senior unnamed Israeli official saying Israel would resume the war in Gaza after the proposed 60-day ceasefire unless Hamas agrees to disarm.
The source said a deal on ceasefire and hostage release might be achievable within one to two weeks, but was unlikely to materialize in just one day.
On March 18, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza after the release of several captives held by Palestinian resistance groups, in violation of a previous ceasefire agreement. The second phase of that deal—Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza—was never implemented.
