Foreign Minister Israel Katz Photo: Getty images
Israel has launched a new round of talks with Hamas in Qatar aimed at releasing hostages held in the Gaza Strip. This information was officially confirmed by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday, 4 January, AFPreported.
The talks are being held under the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Representatives of the Israeli delegation arrived in Doha on Friday to discuss the conditions for the possible release of hostages and the cessation of hostilities.
The defence minister said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given clear instructions to continue negotiations. “We are making every effort to bring the hostages home, including Liri Albag,” Netanyahu said.
It should be noted that Liri Albag is a 19-year-old Israeli woman who was captured during a Hamas attack on the Nahal Oz military base in October 2023. The video of the hostage released by Hamas became an additional impetus for intensifying negotiations.
At the same time, Hamas representatives said that the talks include a demand for a “complete cessation of hostilities” and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Previous attempts to reach an agreement in December failed due to mutual accusations of sabotage. However, the parties hope to reach a compromise in the coming days.
Negotiations remain critical to ending the humanitarian crisis in the region and bringing hostages home.
