The Israeli government ordered the withdrawal of its intelligence delegation from Doha, where negotiations had been under way, as mediation efforts by Qatari, Egyptian, and American intermediaries continued amid a stubborn impasse. Any potential agreements or ceasefires with Hamas were presented as a possible path forward, yet they remained fragile and contested by all sides involved.
A statement issued on behalf of the intelligence service said talks had stalled, attributing the halt to directives from senior officials. The message indicated that the Doha negotiating team should return to Israel to reassess next steps in a rapidly evolving security environment.
The statement also asserted that Hamas had not fulfilled its obligations under the terms of the accord, including commitments related to protecting civilians and enabling civilian releases, as outlined in a prior list circulated through Hamas-approved channels. This lapse was cited as a key reason for suspending the agreement and for renewed discussions under revised arrangements.
Israel and Hamas subsequently breached the ceasefire anchored by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, in a Friday morning exchange that included hostage transfers and battlefield casualties. The exchange involved a significant number of hostages on both sides, with Palestinian prisoners also affected, underscoring the deep tensions shaping the conflict.
The extended ceasefire, effective from late November, had formed part of a larger pause in fighting that began in early October, allowing humanitarian aid to reach affected communities. The pause aimed to relieve civilians living amid devastation, but its durability depended on strict compliance by all parties, a challenge amid ongoing hostilities.
Meanwhile, concerns about hostages persisted as officials discussed missing individuals tied to the Bibas family case. Among those reported alive were two children, identified as siblings, with families, observers, and international organizations closely monitoring their status and seeking clarity on their wellbeing and potential release conditions.
Officials from the Israeli defense ministry reiterated that there had been no successful fulfillment of the terms concerning the Bibas family, including the release of the mother and the two children. The status of these individuals remained a focal point for ongoing negotiations, humanitarian discussions, and efforts to secure tangible progress amid a volatile security landscape.
Hamas, for its part, argued that certain claims about the fate of those individuals stemmed from battlefield circumstances, with questions remaining about whether they were killed in bombardments or could be exchanged as remains. The issue of remains remains emotionally charged and complicates any path toward a durable agreement or a resumed ceasefire extension.
The conflict that began on October 7 involved a multi-pronged attack that included mass rocket fire and incursions into communities near the Gaza Strip. The scale of violence produced substantial civilian casualties and a large number of people abducted, highlighting the human cost of the confrontation and the urgent need for accountability, safety, and humanitarian access across affected areas.
Since that initial surge, Israeli forces have conducted a broad campaign across air, land, and sea, aiming to degrade militant capabilities and restore security in cities and towns impacted by the fighting. The human toll has grown, with many lives lost and millions displaced or living in precarious conditions amid damage to healthcare, housing, and essential infrastructure. The situation remains one of the most challenging humanitarian crises in the region, drawing sustained attention from international partners and relief agencies seeking to deliver aid and protect civilians in the affected zones.