An Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea, is expected to travel to Qatar on Sunday to renew negotiations for a hostage deal, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Thursday evening. In response, the families of the hostages demanded that Netanyahu grant the delegation full authority to secure an agreement for the return of all hostages in a single phase.
According to the announcement, Barnea is set to meet in Doha with CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatar's Prime Minister to discuss various options for restarting the negotiations for the release of the hostages, in light of recent developments.
Meanwhile, a senior Russian delegation arrived in Tel Aviv today to discuss the possibility of a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, according to sources speaking to the Saudi channel "Al Hadath."
The report states that the Russian delegation delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to end the war in Gaza and Lebanon. Additionally, Putin called on Netanyahu "to agree to current peace initiatives, which Russia has endorsed."
Earlier today, senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook, who is currently visiting Moscow, stated that the terrorist organization would give priority to the release of hostages with Russian citizenship in any forthcoming deal.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced that it is making efforts to "thwart the generals' plan," referring to an initiative led by retired General Giora Eiland, which involves evacuating the Palestinian population from northern Gaza and imposing a siege on Hamas militants.
According to the terrorist organization's statement, Hamas delegations are visiting Qatar, Turkey, and Russia, and are engaging in talks with Egypt, the United Nations, and Iran. It was also mentioned that talks are expected with additional countries.
At the same time in Doha, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the country's Prime Minister, Mohammed Al Thani. The latter noted that Qatar has held meetings over the past two days with members of Hamas' political bureau in Qatar.
