Renewed Gaza Ceasefire Talks Face Uncertainty Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Hamas has stated it will not join the upcoming Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, casting doubt on the peace efforts. U.S. officials urge urgent progress to prevent wider conflict, amid rising tensions and violence between Israel and Palestinian factions. Hamas demands a serious response from mediators for further engagement.

Hamas announced on Wednesday that it will abstain from participating in the next round of Gaza ceasefire talks scheduled for Thursday in Qatar. Nevertheless, an official briefed on the discussions indicated that mediators plan to consult with the Palestinian group after the said talks.

The United States has confirmed that indirect talks are expected to proceed as planned in Doha on Thursday, with a potential ceasefire agreement on the horizon. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a trip to the Middle East, originally set to start on Tuesday.

Israel has committed to sending its negotiation team, including top security and defense officials, to finalize the framework agreement. Skepticism remains on both sides, with Hamas blaming Israel for delays and Israel pointing to Hamas leadership as an obstacle. Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza, with significant fatalities reported on both sides.

(With inputs from agencies.)