DOHA, Qatar: An Israeli delegation is poised to continue discussions in Qatar aimed at securing a halt in the conflict in Gaza, with the potential release of captives looming as a pivotal aspect of the negotiations.
The talks, initiated last week in Paris, saw the participation of high-level officials from Israel’s intelligence agencies, including Mossad and Shin Bet, alongside mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that progress towards an agreement might be attainable.
Reports indicate that negotiators received approval from the Israeli cabinet to send a delegation to Qatar in the coming days to sustain the dialogue.
Media outlets in Israel have outlined a potential framework for the talks, suggesting a temporary cessation of hostilities for up to six weeks, contingent on the daily release of captives from Gaza.
This release is speculated to include a diverse range of individuals, including women civilians, female soldiers, and elderly individuals with significant medical needs. In return, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody could be released.
An agreement could also facilitate a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and potentially enable the return of displaced Palestinians to heavily affected areas in the northern part of the enclave.
However, Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, has not publicly commented on these developments, leaving uncertainty about their stance on the proposed negotiations.
Prior to these talks, Hamas had insisted on a complete cessation of hostilities and an end to the siege of Gaza, demands that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed while emphasizing the pursuit of “total victory” over the armed group.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu and his government to secure the release of captives, with thousands of protesters gathering in Tel Aviv to demand swift action and new elections.
The ongoing demonstrations underscore public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the conflict and its failure to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
