Palestinian officials: Doha talks on verge of collapse, Israel ‘bought time’ with Netanyahu’s US trip

Negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas are on the verge of collapse, unnamed Palestinian officials tells the BBC.

One official says Israel “bought time” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump, and that the decision to send a team to Qatar without a strong mandate was an act to deliberately stall the discussions.

A Palestinian official says the talks are still mainly focused on the issues of the Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and delivery of aid to the Strip.

Israel’s delegation to Doha does not include the senior-most officials who have been involved in talks — Mossad chief David Barnea, acting Shin Bet head “Shin” and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Army Radio reported earlier this week.