The talks, facilitated by Qatar’s Prime Minister, senior Egyptian intelligence figures, and US envoy Brett McGurk, have hit a deadlock over Israeli military withdrawal maps. While Israel initially proposed a 1 to 1.5 km buffer zone, Hamas officials say a newly shared map revealed deeper military control—up to 3 km in some areas.

The map indicated sustained Israeli presence across large parts of Gaza, including the entire city of Rafah, 85% of Khuzaa, and neighborhoods in northern and eastern Gaza like Beit Hanoun, Shejaiya, and Zeitoun. Hamas interpreted this as a breach of earlier understandings and accused Israel of acting in bad faith.

Palestinian officials claim Israel used the negotiations as a diplomatic smokescreen during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. “They were never serious about these talks,” one negotiator told the BBC. “They used these rounds to buy time and project a false image of progress.”

Humanitarian Access And Displacement Concerns

Another major point of contention is the delivery of aid. Hamas demands distribution through UN and international agencies, while Israel insists on using the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed mechanism. Though there has been limited progress, no formal agreement has been reached.

Meanwhile, reports that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz plans to relocate Palestinians to a tightly controlled camp in Rafah—potentially housing up to 2.1 million people—have intensified concerns. Critics, including human rights groups, called the plan a blueprint for forced displacement.

With the talks teetering on collapse, mediators are urging Washington to exert pressure on Israel to make concessions. A regional official warned that the process is “hanging by a thread” and could unravel unless a breakthrough occurs quickly.