Netanyahu Sends Delegation to Doha for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Talks Amid Trump's Envoy Push

Jan 11, 2025, 02:15 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a high-level delegation to Doha to advance negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The delegation includes Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, a key figure in hostage negotiations. The move follows a meeting between Netanyahu and Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has been pressing for a deal before Trump's inauguration on January 20. Witkoff, after discussions with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, emphasized Trump's desire for a swift resolution. The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., have seen cautious progress, with reports indicating that 90% of the deal points have been agreed upon. However, disagreements persist, particularly regarding the transition from the first phase of the deal, which involves a humanitarian exchange of hostages, to subsequent phases.