In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams from the Gaza ceasefire talks held in Doha, Qatar. The decision follows accusations from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who pointed to Hamas's alleged lack of commitment to reaching a ceasefire agreement. "We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza," Witkoff stated.

Despite the setback, Hamas expressed surprise at the US envoy's remarks, reiterating its willingness to continue negotiations. "The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement," Hamas stated.

The talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, have been ongoing for over two weeks but have made limited progress. Key issues, such as the redeployment of Israeli troops and the release of Palestinian prisoners, have proven contentious. The proposed deal included a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release hostages in exchange for increased aid and prisoner releases by Israel.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels. The UN's Palestinian refugee agency reports that one in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with conditions worsening daily. Over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli forces in recent weeks, as they attempted to access food aid.

The US and Israel's decision to withdraw from the talks underscores the challenges in achieving a lasting peace in the region. While the Trump administration had previously expressed optimism about a breakthrough, the current impasse highlights the complexities of the Middle East peace process.