Israel Delegates to Qatar for Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations: Netanyahu

Jerusalem, Jan 3 (NationPress) Israel has declared its intention to send a team of high-ranking security officials to Qatar next week to engage in discussions about a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a statement that "a team of professional officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)" will head to Doha to advance the negotiations, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Earlier this week, the Israeli state-owned Kan TV indicated that Hamas had suggested a one-week ceasefire, during which it would identify the locations of hostages still held in Gaza and provide a list of those eligible for release. Israel has yet to issue an official response to this proposal.

The discussions, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have been in progress for over a year.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a firm warning, stating that Israel would escalate its military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not reach an agreement for the release of hostages "soon."

In a public statement, Gallant emphasized that if Hamas fails to allow the release of Israeli hostages, the group would confront "attacks of an intensity not witnessed in Gaza for a considerable time." He stressed that Israel's military would "escalate and intensify" its operations against militant strongholds in Gaza until the hostages are freed and Hamas is "eliminated."

Hamas aims to extend the truce, while Israel maintains its right to resume military actions if it perceives a security threat. Another contentious issue is Hamas's demand for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which Israel opposes, asserting the necessity of a continued military presence for maintaining security control.