Israeli delegation heads to Qatar for hostage-ceasefire talks amid slow progress

A delegation of Israeli negotiators has departed for Qatar to engage in discussions over a potential hostage-ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

The move follows approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who greenlit the delegation’s departure, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

The negotiations, aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and establishing a ceasefire, have been marked by slow progress. An Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post on January 2 that while some advancement has been made, the talks are proceeding at a sluggish pace.

Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, is also sending representatives to Doha to participate in the discussions. However, a key point of contention remains unresolved: Hamas has yet to provide a comprehensive list of hostages still alive who could be included in a potential deal.

The group has claimed logistical challenges in reaching all hostages, stating it would need several days after a ceasefire begins to compile the list. Israeli officials have dismissed this claim as baseless. “Hamas has the capability to do it now; they just don’t want to,” an Israeli official said.

These developments come amid reports of an impasse in recent days, with both sides striving to find common ground in the high-stakes negotiations. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and efforts to de-escalate the situation.

By Vugar Khalilov