Israel to Send Delegation to Doha for Gaza Ceasefire Talks Ahead of Netanyahu-Trump Meeting
Israel has confirmed it will send a delegation to Doha later this week to negotiate the next phase of its ceasefire with Hamas, signaling potential progress ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump. This development comes as Hamas has expressed willingness to discuss the second stage of the truce, which aims for a more lasting end to the war. The agreement, brokered by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, initially took effect on January 19, pausing over 15 months of relentless conflict that has devastated much of the Gaza Strip.
As part of the ongoing truce, both sides have begun exchanging captives, with Hamas releasing hostages held in Gaza in return for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Families of those still held captive continue to urge all parties involved to uphold the agreement to ensure the safe return of their loved ones. The latest hostage-prisoner exchanges have already seen the release of 18 hostages by Hamas in return for around 600 Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. Under the current 42-day truce, Hamas is set to free a total of 33 hostages in staggered releases in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire has also allowed for an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with essential supplies such as food, medical aid, and fuel reaching affected areas. Additionally, many displaced Palestinians have been able to return to their neighborhoods in northern Gaza.
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington holds significant weight, as he is the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since his return to the White House. The meeting is expected to include discussions on the ongoing ceasefire, with Trump likely to pressure Israel to uphold the agreement. Trump has positioned himself as a key player in facilitating the ceasefire and is expected to offer incentives, including the possibility of a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. Efforts towards normalization under former US President Joe Biden stalled following the outbreak of war, and Saudi Arabia has since taken a firmer stance on the issue.
Trump has previously proposed relocating Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan, a suggestion that has been met with firm rejection from both countries and the people of Gaza. Residents insist on their right to remain, with many asserting that Gaza is their home and they have no intention of leaving.
Since the truce began, Israel has intensified operations in the occupied West Bank, particularly in Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian militant activity. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), now banned in Israel, has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The Israeli army also reported that a gunman killed two Israeli soldiers at a military post in Tayasir, with the attacker also being killed.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, has resulted in staggering casualties. Israeli figures confirm that 1,210 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack, while retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of at least 47,518 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations considers these casualty figures to be reliable.
As negotiations progress, the international community remains watchful, with hopes that the ceasefire will hold and that further steps can be taken towards a lasting peace in the region.
