Hamas announces the start of a new round of negotiations, and Trump's envoy arrives in Doha.

Hamas announced the start of a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, as US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Doha to participate. An Israeli delegation had arrived earlier on Tuesday.

Hamas said in a press release that a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza began on Tuesday, stressing that it is approaching the talks responsibly and seriously, and hopes they will result in "a halt to the aggression and the occupation's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."

Hamas leader Abdel Rahman Shadid said at a press conference that the movement is "positively approaching the talks with US envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler." Shadid expressed hope that the negotiations will yield tangible progress toward launching the second phase of the agreement, paving the way for a halt to the aggression, the occupation's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the completion of a prisoner exchange deal.

A Hamas spokesman pointed out that the occupation continues its siege of the Gaza Strip by closing the crossings, preventing aid and food supplies, and cutting off electricity for the tenth consecutive day. He said, "The continued closure of Gaza's crossings is a war crime and collective punishment that threatens the lives of innocent civilians."

He called on the mediators to "exert all possible pressure on Netanyahu and his extremist government to abide by the terms of the agreement, open the crossings, and allow the entry of aid."

Witkov in Doha

US Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is holding talks in Doha, with an Israeli proposal to extend the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for 60 days, according to official Hebrew media on Tuesday.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (official) reported on Tuesday evening that "Wittkov began talks in Doha to push the parties toward understandings regarding the release of the kidnapped soldiers," referring to the Israeli prisoners.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, 24 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,500 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

The commission reported that "there is an Israeli proposal in the spirit of the Witkov initiative, which includes the release of 10 kidnapped (Israeli prisoners) alive on the first day in exchange for (extending) the ceasefire for 60 days."

However, the Authority quoted unnamed informed Israeli sources as saying that "it is doubtful that Hamas will agree to the Israeli proposal."

Hamas insists on starting the second phase of the agreement, and considers Israel's decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 8 "cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant reversal of the agreement."

Occupation violations

On Monday, Hamas expressed its condemnation and rejection of the occupation's violations of the ceasefire agreement and its failure to adhere to the agreed-upon withdrawal schedule. It noted that the occupation army did not adhere to the gradual reduction of its forces in the Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) axis during the first phase, nor did it commit to beginning the withdrawal from it on the forty-second day, as stipulated in the agreement.

According to a statement issued by Hamas, the withdrawal was scheduled to be completed by the fiftieth day of the agreement, which was supposed to have taken place last Sunday. However, this has not yet happened, the movement said, noting that "this blatant violation represents a clear breach of the agreement and a blatant attempt to sabotage it and empty it of its content."

On Sunday, Boehler said that the US meetings with Hamas regarding the release of detainees in Gaza were "very useful," without ruling out additional meetings with the movement.

In an interview with CNN, Boehler added that he believes something could be reached regarding Gaza within weeks, without providing details.
The American website Axios revealed last week that unprecedented direct talks were taking place between Hamas and the United States. The United States has never held direct talks with the movement before.

Source: Yemen Youth Net + Agencies