Israel is sending a high-level delegation to Qatar’s capital, Doha, to further discuss a deal for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the mission following a security assessment with key officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and U.S. negotiators, both from the current and incoming administrations.
The Israeli delegation is led by David Barnea, the head of Mossad, and Ronen Bar, the chief of Shin Bet. The delegation’s objective is to advance talks with Hamas, as Israel seeks to secure the release of the hostages, who were taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel. In that attack, around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and approximately 250 were taken hostage.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Katz has ordered the military to prepare a strategy for Hamas’s “total defeat” in Gaza if the hostage negotiations fail to produce results by January 20. Katz has emphasized that any future military action should aim for a decisive victory over Hamas, rather than a prolonged conflict, and stated that Gaza’s reconstruction should not be a consideration until Hamas is dismantled.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have been ongoing for months. Recently, these talks have gained traction, focusing on a potential ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange agreement.
The situation remains tense, with the Israeli government intensifying its focus on the hostage crisis while preparing for potential escalation if the talks do not yield a resolution in the coming weeks.
