Despite meetings aimed at progressing a cease-fire in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu's negotiations in Washington did not produce a conclusive agreement. With disputes over disarmament and aid distribution still unresolved, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, complicating future peace efforts.
Netanyahu Returns from U.S. Talks Without Gaza Cease-Fire Agreement

Netanyahu Returns from U.S. Talks Without Gaza Cease-Fire Agreement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington ended without a truce with Hamas, highlighting the ongoing complexities of the conflict in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his trip to Washington without securing an agreement for a truce with Hamas, returning to Israel amid continued tension in the Gaza Strip. The discussions aimed at establishing a cease-fire involved multiple U.S. officials, including President Trump, yet left significant issues unaddressed.
As the war's fate remains uncertain, efforts by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators are challenged by differing views on the truce's duration, the scope of an Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, and mechanisms for aid distribution during any potential cease-fire.
Before departing for Israel, Netanyahu expressed his goal of negotiating a two-month truce, contingent upon Hamas releasing approximately half of the 50 hostages still held in Gaza. However, he emphasized that any truce would not evolve into a permanent agreement unless Hamas agreed to disarm. Netanyahu stated that the fundamental requirements for negotiations include the demilitarization of Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas’s governing and military capabilities.
In response, Hamas officials dismissed Netanyahu's terms, asserting that disarmament could never be a topic for negotiation. Senior Hamas representative Basem Naim underscored their stance, contributing to the existing deadlock. As both sides prepare for potential escalations, the prospect for lasting peace appears increasingly complex and uncertain.