**US and Israel Withdraw from Gaza Ceasefire Talks**
The US and Israeli governments have withdrawn their negotiating teams from Qatar, citing a lack of progress in talks to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The move follows a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Hamas officials.
According to Steve Witkoff, the US envoy, Hamas’s response to the latest proposal “demonstrated a lack of will” to reach an agreement. Trump echoed this sentiment, saying that Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal, and that they knew what would happen if they got the final hostages.
**Large Gaps Remain in Talks**
Despite the withdrawal of negotiating teams, all parties involved acknowledge that there are still significant gaps on key issues such as Israeli troop withdrawals and aid distribution. The US had proposed a 60-day truce in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, but Hamas refused to agree to this proposal.
**Humanitarian Conditions Deteriorate**
The humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate rapidly. The UN and its partners have warned of man-made mass starvation taking hold. The Hamas-run Health Ministry has reported nine deaths from malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths this month to 57.
**Hostage Families Demand Action**
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum of Israel has expressed deep concern about the return by Israeli negotiators, stating that negotiations are taking too long and putting hostages at risk. Relatives of hostages have called on the government to reach an agreement to return the 50 remaining hostages.
**Israeli Government Distances Itself from Far-Right Minister**
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced his government from a statement made by far-right Heritage Minister Amichay Elyahu, who claimed that it “rushed to wipe out Gaza” instead of rushing a deal to release hostages.
