Israel is weighing the possibility of sending its hostage negotiation team back to Doha for further discussions with Qatari mediators, according to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.
Two individuals familiar with the matter said ongoing efforts aim to secure a sweeping agreement that would bring home every remaining hostage. The push comes as several countries work to head off the IDF’s planned offensive to take Gaza City, a move that received the green light last week.
In a separate development, senior members of Hamas are said to have traveled to Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials in an attempt to reignite stalled ceasefire talks.
The United States, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt are all working toward reaching an arrangement before Israel launches its Gaza City operation. Under the terms of a deal for the release of all hostages, Israel would be expected to pull back from most of Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners. The agreement would then pave the way for negotiations on a lasting ceasefire and the dismantling and removal of Hamas from governance.
Yesterday, reports indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has ruled out any partial agreement that fails to secure the release of every hostage. Sources close to Netanyahu emphasized that he is prepared to negotiate only within the framework of his conditions for ending the war, and strictly on the basis that all hostages are freed — “all of them.” Until that happens, Israel will not pursue a deal that leaves any of them behind.
{Matzav.com Israel}
