The negotiations in Doha between Israeli and Hamas delegations, mediated by Qatar and the US, began today (Saturday) at 2 p.m., following understandings that each side may present various proposals and directions based on the existing frameworks on the table. In practice, both sides were given leeway to show flexibility regarding the two main outlines: the Witkoff framework, to which Israel has declared its commitment, and the Egyptian framework, which differs primarily in its more modest demands on Hamas.
Even before today's talks, it was already clear by Friday that, despite the lack of progress, the Israeli delegation would remain in Doha to signal Israel's willingness to continue negotiations. Hamas, despite the near-certain elimination of its military commander Mohammad Sinwar and the ongoing and even intensifying Israeli military operations, decided to return to the table.
"This decision clearly indicates that Hamas is under growing pressure due to the situation in Gaza," a senior Israeli official told Israel Hayom. "It understands that Israel intends to expand its ground maneuver and, more importantly, that the Americans are not planning to restrain Israel."
The proposals now being discussed come primarily from the American side. US envoy Steve Witkoff, who returned to the US, remains in close contact via phone and video calls. On Friday, Hamas demanded not only a long-term ceasefire, of at least two months, but also a US guarantee that fighting would not resume. However, it rejected the central Israeli condition of disarming.
Talks toward a long-term agreement to end the War
Formulas to circumvent this deadlock are now on the table. The talks are proceeding under a flexible framework that aims to bring an end to the war but does not obligate Israel to resume fighting if no agreement is reached. Simultaneously, negotiations are ongoing, not necessarily in Doha, on a comprehensive, long-term agreement to end the war, based on the Emirati-Saudi plan published in Israel Hayom last week.
An Arab source confirmed that the main direction in Doha is based on the Witkoff framework with "certain" modifications. According to this source, the US is prepared to offer more substantial guarantees that Israel will not renew military operations if the talks break down due to Israeli actions.
Lead Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya met this morning with the Qatari prime minister. According to the Arab source, he was promised that Qatar would work with the Americans to secure guarantees that fighting would not resume.
