Doha Cease-Fire Talks Delayed Following Netanyahu’s Fiery Speech

Officials from Egypt, Israel, the United States, and Qatar were set to meet in Doha on Thursday to discuss a proposed three-phase cease-fire aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of remaining hostages. However, an Israeli official indicated that Israel’s negotiating team has been delayed and is expected to arrive next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress in Washington on Wednesday, as thousands of protesters gathered near the U.S. Capitol to oppose the war. On Thursday, Hamas criticized Netanyahu’s speech, accusing him of hindering efforts to end the conflict and release the hostages.

While Netanyahu has hinted that a cease-fire agreement may be on the horizon after nine months of fighting, he affirmed in his impassioned speech to Congress that Israel would continue its military campaign until achieving “total victory.”

Meanwhile, Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military’s recent directive to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis report that they are now sleeping in the streets. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the war has resulted in over 39,100 Palestinian deaths.