According to U.S. and Israeli sources, high-level talks in recent days showed rare convergence between Hamas and Israeli positions on several issues, including withdrawal timelines, the release of hostages, and aid delivery mechanisms. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special Middle East envoy, reportedly held multiple meetings with Qatari officials in Sardinia, Italy, while Egyptian officials coordinated parallel efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that the Gaza talks are back on track and could yield a phased ceasefire plan starting with the immediate release of half of the hostages. Rubio added, “The solution is simple: release the hostages and lay down your arms, and the war will end.”

But just as optimism was building, Hamas accused Israel of torpedoing the progress. Al-Hayya stated that Israel withdrew unilaterally despite “clear advances” in the negotiations and claimed that the move was coordinated with Witkoff to “stall and buy time for more destruction.”

U.S. Pressure And Domestic Strains In Israel

Six U.S. lawmakers released a joint statement urging the Trump administration to push Prime Minister Netanyahu toward a ceasefire deal and hostage release, calling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “horrific and unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, Israeli sources told Yedioth Ahronoth that the army might escalate operations in Gaza if talks do not yield results soon. Military threats were described as a tactic to force Hamas into accepting a partial agreement.

In Gaza, Hamas said negotiations could not continue “under siege and starvation,” citing the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and alleging Israel's use of collective punishment. Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas had shown “maximum flexibility” over 22 months of negotiations, always placing the welfare of the Palestinian people first.

With international pressure mounting and the civilian toll rising, the next few days are seen as crucial. Mediators in Doha, Cairo, and Washington are expected to push for renewed commitments amid hopes that backchannel talks can be revived quickly.