Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized his government’s negotiators to continue talks in Qatar to reach an agreement with Hamas to release prisoners still held in Gaza.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized an expert-level delegation from the Mossad (espionage agency), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the ISA (internal security agency) to continue negotiations in Doha,” the prime minister’s office said. It was announced on Thursday.
In recent weeks, Qatar, Egypt and the United States have brokered indirect negotiations in Doha.
But hopes were dashed after Hamas accused the regime of offering new conditions.
The new conditions include the continuation of the Gaza war and the non-withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Hamas calls for a complete halt to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Months of protests in the occupied territories have prompted calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal with Hamas to secure the release of the prisoners.
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on November 27th. Since then, the regime has violated this agreement almost daily.
The ceasefire came after months of heavy fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The fighting will continue for 60 days with a view to a permanent ceasefire.
Under the agreement, an international monitoring commission chaired by the United States is tasked with monitoring implementation of the ceasefire.
In late December, United Nations peacekeeping forces expressed concern over continued damage caused by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
The regime’s onslaught began in October 2023 and has claimed more than 4,000 lives in Lebanon.
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