Official announcements from the Israeli government, Hamas, or mediating countries such as Qatar or Egypt.

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.