Israel Agrees to Wider Withdrawal from Gaza Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

Negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire continue in Qatar, now entering their second week without significant progress. However, an Israeli official has indicated a possible breakthrough in the discussions

Israel’s Channel 13 reported that a senior Israeli official participating in the talks in Doha said Tel Aviv has agreed to a broader withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and has shown increased flexibility to reach a new agreement.

According to Israeli officials cited by Channel 13, the new Gaza withdrawal plan approved by Israel is temporary in nature. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they said, does not intend to end the war following the initial 60-day ceasefire period.

On Tuesday, Israel submitted its third proposed map detailing the deployment of its forces across Gaza during the proposed 60-day ceasefire, sources told the Jerusalem Post. 

Key points of contention between Israel and Hamas remain the extent of the Israeli troop withdrawal during the ceasefire and the mechanisms for distributing humanitarian aid within Gaza.

The latest Israeli map proposal reportedly demonstrates “greater flexibility” regarding troop positions along the Gaza-Egypt border, specifically in the area between the Morag and Philadelphi crossings, according to the Jerusalem Post.