Netanyahu sends high-level delegation to Qatar for hostage deal talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a top-tier delegation to Qatar in an effort to finalise a hostage-ceasefire deal with the Hamas terror group, his office announced on Saturday night.
The delegation includes Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet director Ron Bar, retired IDF Major General and hostage negotiator Nitzan Alon, and Netanyahu’s political advisor Ophir Falk.
The decision followed a high-level situation assessment meeting chaired by Netanyahu, with Defense Minister Israel Katz, senior Israeli security officials, and representatives from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration also in attendance.
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu met with Trump’s incoming US Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Jerusalem.
Hamas sources indicated on Saturday that a ceasefire agreement was “completed” and pending Netanyahu’s final approval.
Israeli officials, however, remain cautiously optimistic, with Channel 13 news quoting two sources involved in the negotiations as describing the discussions as showing “general cautious progress.”
The Qatar-hosted talks have been an essential point in efforts to secure the release of hostages and establish a temporary ceasefire amid ongoing tensions.
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