Tensions remain high in the Middle East as ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in Gaza face new challenges. On Monday, the Palestinian group Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately undermining efforts to reach a truce agreement.

In a strongly worded statement, Hamas declared that “Netanyahu has a talent for driving every round of negotiations to failure, one after the other, and consistently refuses to reach an agreement.”

Negotiations, which resumed last week in Doha, are being conducted through indirect channels, with international mediators attempting to bridge the deep divide between the two sides. A diplomatic source involved in the talks told Agence France-Presse that mediators are “actively exploring innovative mechanisms to help bridge the remaining gaps and keep negotiations on track.”

According to Palestinian sources, a major point of contention has emerged over Israel’s insistence that its military forces remain in the Gaza Strip even after 21 months of warfare. This proposal has reportedly complicated the progress of the talks.

The discussions in the Qatari capital are centered on the potential redeployment and positioning of Israeli forces inside Gaza—an issue that has proven particularly sensitive. Two Palestinian sources confirmed on Saturday that Israel’s plan to maintain a military presence within the territory is a major obstacle to reaching a deal.

Adding to the complexity, the head of Egypt’s intelligence service, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, is also in Doha. He has met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to coordinate mediation efforts and explore ways to revive momentum in the negotiation process.

As the talks continue under the shadow of nearly two years of war, the outcome remains uncertain.