Leading Israeli security team in Doha for negotiations on Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokeswoman claimed that a high-level Israeli security delegation arrived in Qatar on Sunday for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage arrangement for Gaza, which could be an indication that long-elusive agreements are becoming closer.

In an attempt to come to an agreement to end the violence in the enclave and release the remaining 98 hostages before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are redoubling their efforts as mediators.

Mossad Head David Barnea, Shin Bet internal security chief Ronen Bar, and military chief of the hostage brief Nitzan Alon are among the delegation, Netanyahu’s office stated on Saturday.

After meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met with Netanyahu on Saturday.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and the militant organization Hamas have made some headway, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials since Thursday, but they have not provided further details. Details have been kept under wraps while being worked out.

It is uncertain how they would resolve one of the main differences that has remained during the previous rounds of negotiations: Israel claims it will not end the war as long as Hamas controls Gaza and threatens Israelis, while Hamas demands an end to the conflict.

Israeli figures show that Hamas forces invaded Gaza’s borders in October 2023, murdering 1,200 Palestinians and seizing over 250 hostages, which prompted Israel to commence its attack.

Palestinian health officials report that since then, over 46,000 people have died in Gaza, leaving the majority of its population uprooted and much of the enclave in ruins and engulfed in a humanitarian crisis.