Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall Again Amid Military Withdrawal Disputes — Aid Distribution Tragedy Repeats July 1

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📰 Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall Again Amid Military Withdrawal Disputes — Aid Distribution Tragedy Repeats
🗓️ July 13, 2025
📍Doha / Gaza Strip / Tel Aviv

📄 Efforts to broker a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip — now deep into its second year of war — have reached another impasse, as talks break down over Israel’s refusal to fully withdraw its forces. Sources close to the ongoing negotiations in Doha say Israel has proposed retaining control of roughly 40% of Gaza, including the southern city of Rafah, while withdrawing from the rest. Hamas has rejected this, demanding a full withdrawal consistent with the terms reached during the January ceasefire.

Hamas insists that any plan which effectively divides Gaza and continues the displacement of its population is unacceptable. Meanwhile, Israel maintains that no lasting ceasefire can occur without the release of all hostages and the full dismantling of Hamas.

President Trump had proposed the 60-day ceasefire initiative, but progress remains elusive. The core disagreement now centers on sequencing: Hamas demands a halt in fighting before releasing remaining hostages, while Israel insists those releases must come first.

At the same time, humanitarian catastrophe continues to unfold. At least 31 Palestinians were killed on July 12 while attempting to receive food aid, in what witnesses described as live fire from Israeli forces at a distribution center. Eyewitnesses reported shots to the head and torso. The Israeli military claims it issued warning shots and denies direct responsibility for the fatalities, stating no conclusive evidence ties their forces to the deaths.

Israel has continued its blockade of Gaza, citing Hamas’s alleged seizure of aid supplies. Relief is now only partially distributed through the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” a joint U.S.-Israeli initiative launched in May.

However, the UN Human Rights Office has reported alarming figures: 789 civilians have died since late May while seeking humanitarian aid — including 615 near distribution centers and 183 along aid transport routes.

With hardened positions and deep mistrust on both sides, prospects for a sustained ceasefire remain dim. Israel’s strategic retention of territory is likely to prolong negotiations and deepen humanitarian suffering. Meanwhile, public outcry over aid-related deaths may increase international pressure on both parties — particularly Israel — to ease restrictions and reassess its security operations in civilian zones.

The Gaza conflict remains locked in a tragic loop: failed diplomacy, mounting civilian casualties, and a humanitarian crisis spiraling out of control. Unless a breakthrough on troop withdrawal or hostage release is achieved soon, the current war footing may become entrenched for the foreseeable future.

🔗 Reported from Doha, Qatar – World News War Correspondence Desk

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