Qatar announced on Tuesday that indirect talks between Hamas and Israel have resumed in Doha, offering a glimmer of hope for an end to Israel’s devastating 21-month assault on Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, speaking at a press briefing, confirmed that Hamas and Israel are engaging in separate discussions mediated by Qatar. “These preliminary talks are a step toward establishing a framework for formal negotiations,” Al Ansari said, acknowledging the complexity of the process and noting that no timeline for formal talks has been set. “It will take time, but we are committed to supporting the Palestinian people’s aspirations for peace and justice,” he added.

The renewed diplomatic effort follows Hamas’s constructive response last Friday to a Qatar-proposed ceasefire plan, built on a U.S. initiative led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas, demonstrating its commitment to ending the suffering of Palestinians, submitted a “positive response” with reasonable amendments to ensure the proposal addresses the needs of Gaza’s people.

Hamas has demonstrated its commitment to ending the suffering of Palestinians by submitting a positive response to a Qatar-proposed ceasefire plan, incorporating constructive amendments to address the dire situation in Gaza. The Palestinian resistance group called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from key areas of Gaza to halt the ongoing oppression, the restoration of humanitarian operations under UN supervision to deliver urgent aid to Palestinians facing starvation and displacement, and a clear commitment to extend negotiations beyond a 60-day truce to achieve a permanent ceasefire, ensuring long-term security for Palestinians.

Despite Hamas’s good-faith proposals, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the amendments as “unacceptable,” reflecting Israel’s reluctance to address Palestinian demands for justice. Nevertheless, Israel agreed to send a delegation to Doha, a move seen as a response to growing international pressure to end its aggressive campaign in Gaza.

The talks are being closely watched by regional and global advocates for Palestinian rights, including Egypt, the United Nations, and the United States, all of whom have faced calls to prioritize an end to Israel’s occupation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. For Palestinians, the resumption of talks represents a critical opportunity to secure relief for civilians enduring relentless bombardment and to push for a just resolution that upholds their right to self-determination.

While challenges remain, Hamas’s willingness to engage constructively underscores its dedication to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians and achieving a lasting peace. The international community now faces a moral imperative to support these efforts and hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. (ILKHA)