An Israeli delegation left for Qatar today for indirect talks on a possible agreement with the Palestinian movement "Hamas" to release hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing senior Israeli officials, BTA reports.
Public pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will visit Washington tomorrow to secure a permanent ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza. But some hardliners in his right-wing government are opposed to such a move, Reuters notes.
Other ministers, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed support for reaching an agreement.
On Friday, the Palestinian group "Hamas" said it had responded "positively" to a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This came several days after US President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed to "the necessary conditions" to finalize a 60-day truce.
"Hamas" However, he indicated that there were likely still some outstanding issues between the two sides, citing the granting of humanitarian aid, the passage through the Rafah border crossing, and clarity on the timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Netanyahu's office said that the changes demanded by Hamas in the ceasefire proposal were "unacceptable to Israel."
However, an Israeli delegation was sent to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages, in accordance with the Qatari proposal that Israel accepted."
Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the Palestinian group must disarm - a condition that Hamas has refused to meet. refuses to discuss.
Last night, a large crowd gathered in the square in front of the Defense Ministry building in Tel Aviv, calling for a ceasefire and the return of the approximately 50 hostages still being held in Gaza.