Israel is expected to present a revised withdrawal map during ceasefire negotiations in Doha, following a stall in talks over its previous proposal to retain control over a significant portion of the Gaza Strip, media outlets reported on Saturday. According to Israel's Channel 12, mediators in Qatar are awaiting the new map, which could serve as a potential breakthrough after Hamas rejected earlier proposals that sought to maintain Israeli military occupation zones as wide as 3 kilometers. Hamas had agreed to a buffer zone of just 0.7 to 1 kilometer, citing the need for minimal displacement and full Palestinian control over liberated areas. The revised map aims to bridge the widening gap between the two sides. While Hamas and Israel remain divided on core issues, Haaretz, quoting an Arab diplomatic source, said regional mediators have not abandoned efforts to find common ground. The source emphasized the difficulty of appeasing Hamas while addressing the concerns of Israel's far-right cabinet ministers. The US has also expressed dissatisfaction with the Israeli proposal and reportedly conveyed its concerns to Qatari and Egyptian mediators. According to The Times of Israel, Washington views the continued push for extended occupation zones as a hindrance to a viable agreement. The internal political climate in Tel Aviv is also complicating negotiations. Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is expected to resign if a ceasefire is signed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning talks with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to contain resistance within the Cabinet. Israel's previous maps reportedly proposed retaining control over up to one-third of Gaza, including Rafah in the south, where a so-called "humanitarian aid city" was allegedly planned. Critics said the proposal amounted to establishing a holding site for Palestinians destined for deportation to third countries. Ceasefire talks have revolved around a 60-day truce, the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages, and further discussions toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. While many issues have been provisionally resolved, Israel's insistence on maintaining a military presence around Gaza's perimeter remains the key obstacle. Despite Tel Aviv's opposition to Hamas' latest amendments to the ceasefire proposal, the Israeli delegation still traveled to Doha. Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed its readiness to move forward with the deal based on proposals presented by Qatar and Egypt. The humanitarian toll continues to mount. The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 998 people have been killed and over 7,000 wounded in Israeli army and settler attacks in the West Bank since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. Nearly 58,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza during the ongoing offensive. The international legal community has also escalated pressure on Israel. The International Court of Justice ruled last year that Israel's occupation of Palestinian land is illegal and ordered the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Additionally, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza. — Agencies
