Will mediation prove effective this time? Israel will send delegation to Qatar

The Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Qatar on Monday for intensive talks with mediators, aimed at closing the gap around a new agreement for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas and the release of some hostages held in the Gaza Strip . The talks in Qatar follow talks in Paris on Friday between the Israeli delegation and mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt. According to two Israeli officials and a regional diplomat, the Israeli delegation at those discussions agreed to the basic outlines of a deal that included a six-week cease-fire and the exchange of about 40 hostages held in the enclave for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Replacement will be included.

All requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the conversations. Officials cautioned that the number of hostages and prisoners was likely to change during further negotiations. Recent discussions regarding a potential hostage deal have focused on the release of women, the elderly and injured detainees. An Egyptian official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the talks that started in Paris are expected to continue in Qatar and later in Cairo.

Hamas representatives did not attend the Paris meeting, and it was not immediately clear how acceptable the framework was to the group, or to what extent it reflected the mediators’ position. However, much of it broadly matches the terms agreed upon at a previous meeting in Paris between representatives of the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt in late January. That round of talks failed to reach any agreement. Israel’s War Cabinet on Saturday night approved broad terms for a potential deal based on discussions in Paris, clearing the way for a delegation to visit Qatar, one of the Israeli officials said.