Israel will send a team to Doha to hold discussions on a cease-fire

On Monday, a top Israeli delegation is scheduled to arrive in Doha to continue the indirect negotiations for a cease-fire.

Sources claim that on Sunday night, the Israel Security Cabinet resolved to send a mission to Qatar to begin indirect negotiations regarding a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Based on current information, the team, headed by Mossad Director David Barnea, would negotiate via intermediaries in Egypt and Qatar.

Before signing a ceasefire agreement, however, sources informed IANS that there will be talks with both Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Beginning on Monday, the talks in Doha will address the outstanding issues between Israel and Hamas, including as the quantity of Palestinian detainees who may be freed in return for the Israeli captives being held captive.

The anticipated discussions would be the first occasion since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan last week that both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders have participated in the indirect consultations.

Before then, mediators had wanted to negotiate a six-week truce, but Hamas rejected any agreement that would not result in a long-term peace in Gaza. Israel has completely rejected the proposal and urged the international community—including the US—to support a lasting truce only once Hamas had been completely destroyed.

However, over the past week, both parties have taken steps to begin the talks. Based on information that is currently available, the first step would be a temporary six-week ceasefire that would see the release of 35 hostages that Hamas has been holding captive in Gaza in exchange for 350 prisoners from Palestine.

Women, the sick, and the elderly make up this group. In return for 50 convicts, some of whom were serving lengthy terms on terror-related offenses including murder, the militant group would also free at least five female troops.

However, the Israeli side has informed the mediators that they would not consent to any discussions on a permanent ceasefire and that they will bring up further demands as soon as the Doha negotiations start.