Not only do the protracted talks in Doha stand at a crossroads, but so does Israel’s reputation as a resolute negotiating partner. Weeks of intense mediation initially sparked cautious hope, but the reality proved harsher. Once again, it became clear: Hamas is playing for time, stalling on key issues, and Israel is once more pushed into an asymmetrical negotiation, the dynamics of which recall old wounds. For when Israel negotiates, it often does so not as a tactically superior power but as a morally driven one—open, willing to compromise, and under pressure. History shows: Whether in Oslo, Gaza, the Shalit deal, or the withdrawal from Lebanon, Israel’s diplomacy has repeatedly disarmed itself, while the opposing side has taken this weakness as an invitation. Today, amid the smoke of ongoing conflicts and new hostage negotiations like those in Doha, Israel faces the question: Is the pursuit of an agreement a sign of strength or yet another dangerous miscalculation?

A source familiar with the details had estimated an 80 percent chance of a successful deal, raising hopes...

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