DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad overseas intelligence company to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his workplace stated Saturday, in an indication of progress in talks on the conflict in Gaza.
It was not instantly clear when David Barnea would journey to Qatar’s capital, Doha, for the newest spherical of oblique talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group, however there may be U.S. stress for a deal earlier than the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Barnea’s presence means high-level Israeli officers who would want to log out on any settlement at the moment are concerned.
Only one transient ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of conflict, and that was within the earliest weeks of preventing. The talks mediated by america, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then.
Below dialogue is a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu signaling he’s dedicated solely to the primary section, a partial hostage launch in trade for a weekslong halt in preventing.
Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory, however Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas’ capacity to struggle in Gaza. On Thursday, Gaza’s Well being Ministry stated over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed within the conflict, the bulk ladies and youngsters, although it doesn’t say what number of have been fighters or civilians.
Additionally being despatched to Qatar are the top of Israel’s Shin Wager inside safety company and army and political advisers. Netanyahu’s workplace stated the choice adopted a gathering together with his protection minister, safety chiefs and negotiators “on behalf of the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations.”
The workplace additionally launched a photograph displaying Netanyahu with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, who was in Qatar final week.
Households of the roughly 100 hostages nonetheless held in Gaza after being seized within the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault that sparked the conflict are urgent Netanyahu to succeed in a deal to convey their family members residence. Israelis rallied once more Saturday night time in Tel Aviv, with images of hostages on show.
Two our bodies recovered
The restoration of two hostages’ our bodies up to now week renewed fears that point is working out. Hamas has stated that after months of heavy preventing, it isn’t positive who’s alive or useless.
“Return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one — the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland,” stated an announcement by a gaggle representing some hostages’ households.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated final week {that a} deal is “very close” and he hoped to finish it earlier than handing over diplomacy to the incoming Trump administration. However U.S. officers have expressed comparable optimism on a number of events over the previous yr.
Points within the talks have included which hostages can be launched within the first a part of a phased ceasefire deal, which Palestinian prisoners can be launched and the extent of any Israeli troop withdrawal from inhabitants facilities in Gaza.
Hamas and different teams killed some 1,200 folks and took about 250 hostages into Gaza within the assault that began the conflict. A truce in November 2023 freed greater than 100 hostages, whereas others have been rescued or their stays have been recovered over the previous yr.
Israel’s army introduced the deaths of 4 troopers in northern Gaza on Saturday, with out particulars. At the least 400 troopers have been killed within the conflict. Six others have been killed this week in largely remoted northern Gaza.