TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel and the United States have recalled their delegations from the Gaza ceasefire talks for consultations on Thursday. As reported by Arab News, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accused the Palestinian resistance group Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the negotiations.
This marks the latest setback in the efforts to reach a ceasefire deal, secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and provide relief for Palestinians suffering from Israeli genocide.
Witkoff said the mediators had made significant efforts, but claimed, "Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith."
“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,” he wrote on X.
There has been no immediate reaction from Hamas.
An Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said Hamas' response to the latest ceasefire proposal “does not allow for progress without a concession” from the group, but Israel intends to continue the discussions.
Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure domestically and internationally to reach an agreement after nearly two years of war, with the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating and Israeli citizens concerned about the conditions of the hostages.
Dozens of people have died of starvation in Gaza in recent weeks as a wave of hunger has swept through the region, according to local health authorities.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suffering and starvation in Gaza is an "unspeakable and indefensible" humanitarian disaster and urged Israel to immediately send aid.
“While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Starmer said in a statement as reported by The Independent.
He will hold an emergency call with French and German partners on Friday, July 25, 2025, to discuss what can be done to “stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need."
Earlier, in an interview following the October 7, 2023 attack, Starmer, who was then leading the British Labour Party, claimed Israel has the right to stop water and food supplies to Gaza.
The Gaza Health Ministry said two more people have died from malnutrition. The head of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said they were patients suffering from other illnesses who died after not eating for several days.
Earlier that day, there had been some clear signs of progress in the mediation. A senior Hamas official said there was still a chance to reach a ceasefire agreement, but it would take several days due to what he called delays by Israel.
A senior Israeli official was quoted by local media as saying the new text was something that Israel could act upon.
However, Israeli Channel 12 said a rapid deal is unlikely, with significant gaps remaining between the two sides, including regarding where the Israeli military should withdraw during the ceasefire.
Witkoff's team did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on Hamas' demands that led to the withdrawal of the U.S. negotiators.
The Hostages Families Forum, representing the families of those held in Gaza, expressed concern over the withdrawal of the Israeli team.
“Each day that passes endangers the hostages’ chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them,” it said.
Pepper Spray for Gaza Aid Seekers
Women who were fetching aid for their families on Thursday said that the U.S. contractor organizing the distribution asked them to come pick up the items and then sprayed tear gas and pepper spray in their direction.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the aid organization—Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—said the limited use of pepper spray was “to prevent civilian injury due to overcrowding,” adding that GHF “didn’t want people to get hurt.”
The UN human rights office said on July 15 that they had documented at least 875 killings in the previous six weeks around aid locations and food convoys in Gaza—mostly near GHF distribution points.
Most of the deaths were caused by gunfire, which locals attributed to the Israeli military. The military has acknowledged civilian casualties, saying Israeli forces have been given new instructions with "lessons learned."
Israeli genocide intensified in October 2023, killing nearly 60,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, according to the Gaza health authorities.
Editor’s Choice: Palestinian Journalist and Family Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
House Speaker: Govt Must Prioritize Personal Data Protection in U.S. Deal Framework
15 menit lalu
Puan says the government must protect the personal data of Indonesian citizens in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Law.
Palestinian Journalist and Family Killed in Israeli Airstrike
18 jam lalu
Walaa al-Jabari, a Palestinian journalist, was killed alongside her husband and four children in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
Indonesian House Members Raise Gaza-Themed Posters Amidst Plenary Session
20 jam lalu
During a plenary session at the House of Representatives (DPR), parliament members held a symbolic action as a form of support for the people of Palestine in Gaza.
Indonesia Pushes for Zero Tariffs on CPO and Coffee Exports to US
20 jam lalu
The negotiations to exempt these export tariffs are part of the ongoing negotiation process between the Indonesian government and the United States.
Trump Administration Launches Action Plan to Rival China in AI Dominance
21 jam lalu
Trump releases America's AI Action Plan to accelerate the U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence technology and to rival China's global influence.
Columbia University Reaches US$200mn Settlement with Trump Govt over Funding Freeze
22 jam lalu
Columbia University reached a settlement with the Trump administration over federal investigations and funding freeze.
No Forced Personal Data Transfer to U.S., Says Minister Airlangga
22 jam lalu
Minister Airlangga has asserted that there will be no transfer of Indonesian citizens' personal data to the United States.
Trade Deal: US Exports to Indonesia Won't Be Subject to Local Content Requirements
22 jam lalu
The White House states that Indonesia is committed to liberating U.S. products from local content requirements.
124 Jordanian Aid Trucks Enter Gaza This Week as Starvation Worsens
23 jam lalu
UN official said on Wednesday that 294 Palestinians were killed by Israel while attempting to collect humanitarian aid since June 30.
Top 10 Countries That Rely on Tourism, From the U.S. to Japan
1 hari lalu
Top countries that rely on tourism push the boundaries of what's possible in the sector, successfully generating trillions in economic contributions.
