A senior Hamas official familiar with the indirect ceasefire negotiations underway in Doha said efforts to reach a framework agreement in Gaza have “returned to square one.” This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest remarks threatening a renewed assault after a proposed 60-day truce if Hamas does not disarm.
The official, who spoke to Al Manassa on condition of anonymity, said Hamas is consulting with other Palestinian resistance factions and reassessing the viability of continued participation in what he described as “futile” negotiations. He warned that if the current approach continues, Hamas may formally withdraw from this round and issue a public statement clarifying the behind-the-scenes developments to both Palestinian and international audiences.
“The issue of disarming the resistance is not up for discussion—not now, and not at any later stage,” the official said. He stressed that Hamas had long made it clear it would only consider relinquishing weapons as part of a comprehensive political agreement leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. “Hamas cannot proceed with the deal in its current form,” he added.
Following his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington last week, Netanyahu stated his government would resume hostilities if Hamas does not disarm during the 60-day ceasefire period.
Hamas and Israel are currently engaged in indirect negotiations, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, over a proposed two-month truce. The deal would include the release of the remains of nine Israelis and ten living detainees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by the occupation, alongside the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and an Israeli military withdrawal.
The Hamas official said Netanyahu’s latest comments amounted to “a clear declaration of the negotiations’ failure,” accusing the occupation government of maneuvering to blame Hamas for any breakdown, despite proposals on the table falling short of “even the minimum demands of the resistance or the needs of Gaza’s population.”
He revealed that during the Doha talks, the Israeli delegation presented a new deployment map for occupation forces that would allow them to retain full control of Rafah in exchange for evacuating the Morag Corridor. The official dismissed the proposal as “unacceptable manipulation,” asking, “What good is vacating a minor corridor if Israel retains control of the entire Rafah area? That map effectively devours nearly 40% of Gaza.”
Regarding Washington’s role, the official criticized the US performance, saying, “Instead of adhering to the pre-agreed terms of the framework deal, the American mediator has begun asking to postpone discussion of Israeli withdrawal until comprehensive negotiations begin. This empties the current talks of substance and attempts to pin the blame for failure on Hamas.”
The source reiterated that Hamas, in coordination with other resistance factions, is now seriously considering whether to continue the current round of talks, warning that if the process remains unchanged, the group may opt to withdraw and issue a formal statement.
“In reality, we are back to square one, but this round isn’t over yet,” he said. “A final decision on whether to continue will be made in the coming days.”
On March 18, Israel refused to proceed with the second phase of a ceasefire agreed in January that was meant to last until the end of the war in Gaza. It resumed its military campaign, and mediators have since failed to broker a new ceasefire or secure a comprehensive agreement to force Israel to halt the conflict.
