Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar in an indication of progress in talks on the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s workplace introduced the choice Saturday night, native time. It was not instantly clear when David Barnea would journey to Qatar’s capital, Doha, for the most recent spherical of oblique talks between Israel and the Hamas militant group. His presence means high-level Israeli officers who would want to log off on any settlement at the moment are concerned.
Only one temporary ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of struggle, and that was within the earliest weeks of combating. The talks mediated by america, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled since then.
Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas’ capability to battle in Gaza. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory. On Thursday, Gaza’s Well being Ministry stated over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war.
Additionally being despatched to Qatar are the pinnacle of Israel’s Shin Guess inner 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 exhibiting Netanyahu with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, who was in Qatar this week.
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Households of the roughly 100 hostages nonetheless held in Gaza after being seized within the Oct. 7, 2023 militant assault that sparked the struggle are urgent Netanyahu to succeed in a deal to convey their family members residence.
The restoration of two hostages’ our bodies up to now week renewed fears that point is operating out. Hamas has stated that after months of heavy combating, it is not certain who’s alive or useless.
“Return with an settlement that ensures the return of all hostages, all the way down to the final one – the dwelling for rehabilitation and the deceased for correct burial of their homeland,” stated an announcement by a bunch representing some hostages’ households.
Israel and Hamas are additionally underneath strain from outgoing President Biden and Trump to succeed in a deal earlier than the Jan. 20 inauguration.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated this week a deal is “very shut” 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 12 months.
Ariel Schalit / AP
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 by Israel 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 struggle. A truce in November 2023 freed greater than 100 hostages, whereas others have been rescued or their stays have been recovered over the previous 12 months.
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike killed not less than eight Palestinians together with two youngsters and two girls in a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza, in keeping with the Civil Protection, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run authorities. It stated the strike on the Halawa college that shelters hundreds of displaced folks within the Jabaliya space additionally wounded 30 others, together with 19 youngsters.
Israel’s army stated it struck a Hamas command heart at a former college in Jabaliya, with out giving proof.
One other strike killed 4 folks on a avenue in Gaza Metropolis, stated Civil Protection spokesperson Mahmoud Basal. Gaza’s Well being Ministry stated not less than 32 our bodies had arrived at hospitals up to now 24 hours.
“I ask the world, do you hear us? Will we exist?” stated Hamza Saleh, one of many overwhelming majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents who’ve been displaced. He spoke Friday within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis as youngsters and others jostled for meals support, whereas starvation grows.
