Tel Aviv: In a renewed push to bring the bloodshed in Gaza to a halt, Israel has agreed to dispatch a delegation to Qatar for indirect negotiations with Hamas over a proposed ceasefire and hostage-release deal, Israeli officials confirmed on Saturday.
The planned "proximity talks," to be held under the mediation of Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, represent the latest diplomatic attempt to end the months-long war that has devastated the Gaza Strip and intensified regional tensions. According to sources familiar with the proposal, the deal includes a 60-day pause in hostilities, the phased release of 10 Israeli hostages held alive by Hamas, and the return of 18 bodies believed to be in Hamas custody. The agreement also provides for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office acknowledged the upcoming talks and confirmed that Israel accepted Qatar’s invitation despite its disapproval of some changes proposed by Hamas. In a statement, Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction with what he called “unacceptable amendments” to the original framework put forth by the mediating parties. Nevertheless, Israel agreed to participate, keeping the diplomatic door open for a possible resolution.
Hamas, on its part, signaled readiness to engage but called for significant adjustments. A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations revealed that Hamas is pushing for an ironclad clause that would prevent a return to combat operations if the parties fail to agree on a permanent ceasefire during the truce period. This demand, aimed at preventing a repeat of previous broken truces, appears to be a key sticking point for Israel.
On the ground in Gaza, however, the humanitarian crisis deepens. At least 45 Palestinians were killed on Saturday as Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted makeshift tent encampments west of Khan Younis, where thousands of displaced families have taken refuge. The latest surge in fatalities comes amid warnings from aid organizations that public infrastructure is on the verge of collapse due to fuel shortages and ongoing siege conditions.
Hospitals are struggling to stay operational, waste management has ground to a halt, and access to clean water has drastically diminished fueling fears of disease outbreaks and a looming famine. UN officials have warned that unless humanitarian access is restored swiftly, Gaza could plunge into an irreversible humanitarian catastrophe.
While hopes hinge on the upcoming Qatar talks, regional developments add further complexity. In a separate but noteworthy move, Syria and the United Kingdom officially resumed diplomatic relations after years of severed ties, marked by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s rare visit to Damascus. The re-engagement is seen as part of a broader European strategy to stabilize the Levant amid spillover fears from the Gaza conflict.
As the world watches cautiously, the upcoming negotiations in Doha may offer the last viable opportunity for both sides to avert further carnage and find a path toward de-escalation. Whether the parties can overcome mutual distrust and agree on terms acceptable to all remains uncertain but the stakes, both human and political, could not be higher.