The United States has pulled its negotiating team from Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff declaring on Thursday that Hamas had failed to engage "in good faith," effectively suspending the latest round of diplomatic efforts to end the 22-month conflict.
The withdrawal came shortly after Israel similarly recalled its delegation from Doha, with both nations coordinating their response to what they characterized as Hamas' unrealistic new demands.
Hamas officials expressed surprise at the American accusations, issuing an early Friday statement that described their organization as having shown "responsible flexibility" throughout the negotiations.
The group maintained it remains committed to reaching a "permanent ceasefire" agreement despite the current impasse.
The Palestinian faction's latest proposal had included previously unreported conditions, including guarantees against Israeli military action after any 60-day truce period and the release of militants involved in the attacks on Israel on Oct 7, 2023.
US withdraws from Gaza ceasefire talks, accuses Hamas of lacking good faith in negotiation
US withdraws from Gaza ceasefire talks, accuses Hamas of lacking good faith in negotiation
US withdraws from Gaza ceasefire talks, accuses Hamas of lacking good faith in negotiation
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reaffirmed that they will not seek normalization of ties with Israel, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's call for the two countries to join the Abraham Accords.
Saudi Arabia's position on the Palestinian issue remains unchanged, a Saudi source told Al Arabiya TV on Monday.
The source affirmed the need for "an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state".
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Muslim-majority and regional countries to normalize relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords before the U.S. reaches a peace agreement with Iran.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan will not join any agreement to normalize ties with Israel, adding that the country will not accept any deal that "conflicts with its fundamental ideologies".
Trump on Monday urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan -- countries involved in mediating U.S.-Iran talks -- to immediately join the Abraham Accords, warning that otherwise they should not participate in the mediation.
He added that if a U.S.-Iran deal is reached, Iran should also join the agreement.
The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States in 2020 during Trump's first term, were established between the Israeli government and Arab countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, aimed at rapidly advancing the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries.
Before the outbreak of the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, the United States had been pushing for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
After the conflict erupted, Saudi Arabia suspended normalization talks with Israel.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan reject Trump's Abraham Accords demand
