Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed a delegation to travel to Qatar on Sunday for indirect talks with Hamas, aiming to reach a ceasefire and hostages release agreement.
The decision follows a security assessment and is based on a Qatari proposal that Israel previously accepted, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Qatari plan reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 Israeli hostages in five phases, and the return of 18 bodies of Israeli captives.
In exchange, Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas seeks modifications to the framework
Despite the initial agreement, Israeli officials reported that Hamas has recently demanded amendments that Israel has labelled as ‘unacceptable’.
According to Israeli broadcaster Kan TV, Hamas is calling for:
- An immediate transition to negotiations for ending the war
- The inclusion of Türkiye among the guarantor countries
- Specifics regarding aid distribution and Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza
Hamas responds positively but requests clarification
On Friday, Hamas announced it had delivered a ‘positive’ response to the mediators and expressed readiness for immediate talks on implementing the proposal.
A Hamas official close to the leadership said the group suggested only minor changes and emphasized key humanitarian concerns.
Humanitarian concerns are central to Hamas’ demands
The Hamas representative highlighted the importance of ensuring stable humanitarian assistance.
“Aid must support the continuous operation of bakeries, hospitals, and other essential services,” the source said.
Hamas also insisted that international bodies such as the United Nations and the Red Crescent supervise the aid distribution.
Israel withdrawal conditions under discussion
On the issue of Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas indicated flexibility.
The group is open to adjusting the proposed withdrawal line to the March 2 positions, provided that final details are clarified through further indirect negotiations.
The upcoming talks in Qatar mark the latest diplomatic effort to end months of conflict and secure the safe release of hostages, amid increasing international pressure and humanitarian concerns.
Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, but continued negotiations may help bridge the remaining gaps.
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