Washington/Doha/New York, July 25, 2025 — The United States is pulling back its negotiating team from Qatar following a deadlock in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that the recent response from Hamas “showed a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,” prompting Washington to reassess its strategy.
Witkoff, addressing reporters, stated, “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.” He added that the United States would now explore “alternative options” to bring hostages home and foster stability in Gaza, though he did not clarify what those options might entail. This development marks another setback for the Biden administration’s effort to secure a ceasefire in a conflict that has now endured for months without significant progress.
On the humanitarian front, Gaza’s health ministry reported that 48 Palestinians died of malnutrition over the past month, highlighting the growing crisis facing civilians in the region.
Meanwhile, in Israel, the Knesset passed a nonbinding resolution supporting the annexation of the West Bank. The motion, which passed with a vote of 71-13, declared that the territory is “an inseparable part of the Land of Israel.” While symbolic, the vote brought together the often-divided right-wing ruling coalition, intensifying regional tensions.
In a parallel diplomatic development, India called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire during an open debate at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, stressed that “intermittent pauses in hostilities” were inadequate and urged a comprehensive truce to address the grave humanitarian and security challenges faced by the region’s population.
US Withdraws Gaza Ceasefire Team Amid Stalled Talks; Israel Backs West Bank Annexation, India Calls for Truce at UN
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