Hamas has formally rejected the proposed terms for a ceasefire and hostage release that were discussed in Doha earlier this week, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of creating additional hurdles in the negotiations.

On Sunday, Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the likelihood of reaching an agreement, highlighting that Israel had been negotiating through intermediaries rather than directly with Hamas, which did not send representatives to the recent talks.

According to Kan public broadcaster, Netanyahu conveyed to his cabinet that the prospects for a successful deal were slim.

This sentiment from Netanyahu and Hamas’s dismissal of the Doha proposal seem to contrast with reports from mediators suggesting that progress was being made toward a possible resolution.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, who will then proceed to Cairo for continued discussions on the matter.

The US aims to organize another summit later this week and hopes to finalize the agreement by week’s end. President Joe Biden affirmed that a ceasefire in Gaza remains “within reach” and emphasized ongoing efforts.

A major sticking point in the discussions is Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining the IDF’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent Hamas from rearming. This condition was not included in the initial May 27 proposal and is opposed by Hamas.

Israeli negotiators advised Netanyahu that without a compromise on this issue, an agreement could not be reached, urging him to show flexibility. However, Netanyahu reportedly stated that as long as Hamas demands a complete IDF withdrawal from the corridor, a deal remains unattainable.

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.