The Israeli negotiating team that departed for Doha, Qatar, last week remains there, despite the deadline Israel set for the Hamas terrorist organization, ostensibly ending with President Trump’s departure from the region on Friday.
It appears that Israel’s extensive preparations for a renewed military campaign in Gaza have prompted Hamas to agree to return to the negotiating table. There is also speculation that the assassination of Muhammed Sinwar, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, also influenced the remaining Hamas leadership both in Gaza and abroad. Sinwar, who assumed leadership following the assassination of his brother Yahya Sinwar by Israel, was seen as a major obstacle to reaching a deal. His removal could make international pressure on Hamas more effective, increasing the chances of progress in the talks.
On Saturday night, Israeli officials held consultations in response to the outcomes of the ongoing negotiations in Doha, ahead of the talks’ expected resumption on Sunday. The current focus of the discussions in Doha is a framework that includes the immediate release of ten live hostages and approximately twenty bodies of casualties.
Hamas is demanding an extension of the ceasefire beyond the 45 days outlined in the original proposal, while the United States has suggested a 60-day ceasefire as a compromise.
Another key point under discussion is the withdrawal of IDF forces from areas captured since the renewal of hostilities two and a half months ago. Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces have advanced deeper into both the southern and northern areas of the Gaza Strip, while also striking targets in central Gaza.
Makor Rishon reported on Saturday night, citing an Israeli source, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained continuous contact throughout the day with the negotiating team in Doha, as well as with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The source stated that Netanyahu’s involvement aimed “to dissuade Hamas from its refusal and to advance a deal for the release of our hostages. This activity continues even now. To exhaust every effort toward securing the hostages’ release, the Prime Minister has instructed the negotiating team to remain in Doha at this stage.”
Netanyahu also had a conversation on Saturday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In an interview with CBS later that evening, Rubio stated that if Hamas does not agree to the terms, it is expected that Israel will resume and intensify its military operations in Gaza.
From Israel’s perspective, the proposal currently under discussion is Witkoff’s original outline. It includes a ceasefire lasting approximately 45 days, the initial release of ten hostages—roughly half of those still believed to be alive—and the release of terrorists held in Israeli prisons. During the ceasefire period, negotiations are expected to continue toward a broader agreement to end the war, which would include the return of all remaining hostages and the disarmament of the Hamas terrorist organization.
Late last week, Hamas declared that following the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, it expected the United States to fulfill its commitment to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. However, the American food distribution initiative—designed to ensure that aid reaches Gaza’s civilian population without being seized by Hamas—has yet to be implemented.
Meanwhile, the families of the hostages affiliated with the Tikva Forum issued a statement on Saturday night opposing any agreement that results in only a partial release. “We demand that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense continue applying pressure until Hamas fully surrenders and all the hostages are returned together,” the statement read.
Tikvah Forum is an organization composed of families of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 massacre. The forum advocates for intensifying military pressure on Hamas and other terrorist organizations and firmly opposes any hostage release deal that does not include the return of all hostages. They argue that negotiations with Hamas grant the terrorist group time and legitimacy, effectively prolonging its rule.
Forum Tikvah also opposes any withdrawal of IDF forces from strategic areas such as the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor, as well as any cessation of hostilities before all of Israel’s stated military objectives are achieved. The forum is chaired by Zvika Mor.
