Senate Republicans Mounted an Effort To Threaten Qatar To Expel Hamas Leaders. After Trump's Win, an Israeli News Report Suggests It May Have Worked.
Washington Free BeaconNOV 18 2024
US Envoy Travels to Qatar for Round of Gaza Negotiations
Above: Palestinians queue for water next to a distribution truck in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, on March 12, 2025. Image copyright: Majdi Fathi/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Qatar on Tuesday for another round of negotiations regarding the cease-fire in Gaza and the possibility of extending its first phase by 60 days in exchange for 10 hostages.
Witkoff is expected to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday. An Israeli official told the Times of Israel that talks will focus on the extension, with Israel's negotiating team scheduled to return to Israel on Wednesday unless there is a breakthrough.
Hamas on Wednesday accused Israel of implementing a policy of collective punishment by cutting off aid and electricity to Gaza, saying that the blockade is deepening the strip's water crisis. The group also accused Israel of violating the cease-fire.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Both sides need to make concessions so that the cease-fire can continue. Nonetheless, halting aid entering Gaza and cutting electricity risks escalating the situation and exasperating the already dire humanitarian situation in the strip. For the hostages to be released, Netanyahu should stop playing politics.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel has consistently negotiated in good faith with Hamas, a terror group, but the situation is reaching a point at which further talks are pointless. Hamas has been the main obstacle to peace throughout the war, and now is no different. If the terror group does not agree to release more hostages and work with Israel and the US, the war must resume in the coming days.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though the Western media is blaming Hamas for Israel's blatant violations of the cease-fire, the reality is Netanyahu was never interested in ending the war or freeing the hostages. Hamas has followed the cease-fire, largely ignoring Israeli violations such as killing civilians, yet the US is backing Israel's attempts to again starve Gaza and commit even more war crimes in the delusional belief that this will save the hostages.