Gaza truce talks stall over “Israeli” demands: Palestinian sources

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a roadblock due to “Israel's” insistence on a withdrawal map that would maintain its military control over approximately 40 percent of the Gaza Strip, two Palestinian sources told AFP.

One source indicated that the Doha talks are facing "complex difficulties" because of “Israel's” proposed map for troop redeployment rather than a full withdrawal.

This plan, submitted Friday, "includes keeping military forces on more than 40% of the Gaza Strip, which Hamas rejects," the source said.

A second informed Palestinian official stated that "Israel continues its policy of procrastination and obstructing the agreement to continue the war of extermination."

According to the source, “Israel's” proposed withdrawal map aims to retain forces in "all areas south of the Morag Corridor in Rafah, including maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor," the 13-kilometer border strip between Gaza and Egypt.

“Israel” also seeks to "maintain control over most of the land in the town of Beit Hanoun" in northern Gaza and keep military positions across eastern Gaza that are 1,200 to 3,000 meters deep.

The Hamas negotiating delegation "will not accept the Israeli maps submitted because they represent granting legitimacy to the re-occupation of about half the area of the Strip and making the Gaza Strip isolated areas without crossings or freedom of movement, like Nazi camps," the source told AFP..

He warned that this withdrawal map "aims to trap hundreds of thousands of displaced people in a part of western Rafah in preparation for the displacement of citizens to Egypt or other countries, which Hamas rejects."

Qatari and Egyptian mediators have asked both sides to postpone negotiations on the withdrawal until US envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Doha.

The mediators "pledged to continue working to bridge the gap and reconcile viewpoints to reach an agreement," the source added..

The Palestinian official said that "Hamas demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all areas that were re-controlled by Israel after March 2," following the collapse of a two-month truce.

While the “Israeli” negotiating delegation "has no answers and practically does not negotiate because it does not have the authority," the official noted that "progress has been made regarding humanitarian aid and prisoner exchange."