Netanyahu set to send delegation to Doha for hostage release, ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that a delegation will be sent to Doha tomorrow to negotiate a deal aimed at securing the release of remaining hostages from Gaza and establishing a ceasefire.

The announcement comes after Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump, and following a meeting with US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The statement emphasized Netanyahu’s gratitude for President Trump’s involvement in the recent release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander, saying, "The prime minister thanked President Trump for his assistance in securing the release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander." In return, Trump expressed his continued commitment to Israel, reiterating his desire to maintain close cooperation with Netanyahu.

In a subsequent meeting with Witkoff and Huckabee, Netanyahu discussed efforts to implement the hostage release framework presented by Witkoff, with a focus on facilitating the release of the remaining hostages ahead of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) potentially expanding their ground campaign in Gaza. The Prime Minister’s Office detailed that "the prime minister instructed that a negotiation delegation be sent to Doha tomorrow."

However, Netanyahu was clear that any discussions would proceed under the backdrop of ongoing military operations. "The negotiations will take place only under fire," he stated, underlining that the military campaign against Hamas would continue unabated.

By Vafa Guliyeva