DOHA: Israel has ordered its Mossad negotiating team based in Doha to return to Israel, citing an “impasse” in the ongoing talks with Hamas. The decision was made under the direction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In an official statement, Netanyahu’s office explained that Hamas had not fulfilled its part of the agreement, specifically the release of all children and women as outlined in a pre-approved list forwarded to and approved by the resistance group.
The Mossad team, led by David Barnea, expressed gratitude to the head of the CIA, the Egyptian Minister of Intelligence, and the Prime Minister of Qatar for their collaborative mediation efforts. These efforts resulted in the release of 84 children and women from the Gaza Strip, along with 24 foreign citizens.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Amid Israel’s Bombardments
Meanwhile, concerns are rising about the humanitarian situation in war-torn Gaza. Hisham Mhanna of the International Committee of the Red Cross emphasized the need for humanitarian aid not to be politicized. He urged all parties involved to grant access for aid to reach civilians, hospitals, medical teams, and humanitarian workers, allowing them to continue life-saving operations.
Mhanna acknowledged the challenging conditions aid agencies face due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A complete ceasefire is deemed necessary for humanitarian aid to effectively alleviate the suffering of civilians.
He stressed that political efforts are essential to prevent a collapse of the humanitarian sector in Gaza and called for a collective commitment to ensuring the well-being of the population in the besieged enclave.
