Doha: An Israeli delegation departed for the Qatari capital on Sunday to engage in indirect negotiations with the Palestinian group Hamas. The discussions aim to establish a ceasefire and reach a prisoner exchange agreement concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to Anadolu Agency, the delegation includes Gal Hirsch, the government coordinator for prisoners, Ofer Falk, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political adviser, and other representatives from the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies. The talks follow a statement from Hamas on Friday, indicating a 'positive' response to mediators regarding a recent ceasefire and prisoner swap proposal.

However, Netanyahu's office rejected Hamas' proposed amendments to the ceasefire as 'unacceptable' on Saturday. Israeli media reports suggest that the proposal includes a phased release of half of the living Israeli hostages, totaling ten, and half of the remains, totaling eighteen, over a 60-day period. In return, Israel would release a larger number of Palestinian detainees and begin partial troop withdrawals from designated areas within Gaza.

Key issues remain unresolved, with Hamas demanding UN oversight on humanitarian aid distribution, security guarantees against renewed hostilities post-truce, and clarity on which Palestinian prisoners will be released. Conversely, Israel insists on the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leaders, conditions that Hamas has refused.

An unnamed Israeli official informed Yedioth Ahronoth that US President Donald Trump might announce a ceasefire agreement during his meeting with Netanyahu in Washington on Monday. Meanwhile, critics argue that Netanyahu is extending the conflict to satisfy the hard-right faction of his government and consolidate his political standing.

Despite international demands for a ceasefire, Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the death of over 57,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 2023. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the region.