Gaza Talks Take Time: What's Really Going On?

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are taking longer than hoped. Qatar, which is hosting the talks, says both sides need more time to agree. This is not what Donald Trump wanted. He had hoped to announce a deal during Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington this week. But it looks like that won't happen now. The talks started on Sunday. Both Israel and Hamas agreed to a US plan for a 60-day ceasefire. But so far, no big progress has been made. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry, said the talks are still in early stages. Both sides are still discussing the framework for the talks. They haven't even started negotiating the details yet. Meanwhile, the fighting continues. In Gaza, 29 people were killed in Israeli strikes, including three children. In Israel, five soldiers were killed by Hamas militants. The death toll in Gaza is now over 57, 000, mostly civilians. The situation is dire, with many facing famine and living in rubble. The ceasefire proposal includes a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals, and increased humanitarian aid. Hamas wants guarantees that Israel won't launch a new offensive after the truce. Israel wants all hostages released and Hamas disarmed. There are also disagreements about how to get aid into Gaza and distribute it. While Qatari and Palestinian officials say the talks are slow, Israeli officials say there is progress. Ze'ev Elkin, a member of Israel's security cabinet, said there is a "substantial chance" of a ceasefire. But he also said Hamas wants to change some key points. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, has a controversial plan. He wants to move all Palestinians in Gaza into a camp in Rafah. He calls it a "humanitarian city. " But many see it as a way to force Palestinians out of Gaza. Some Palestinians support the idea, seeing it as a way to escape the violence. Others see it as a coercive plan to depopulate Gaza. The war started in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel. Militants killed 1, 200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 250. Since then, Gaza has been devastated. The talks are crucial, but they are taking time. And while they drag on, the people of Gaza continue to suffer.