After a long period without contact over a potential hostage deal, Mossad Director David Barnea traveled Thursday to Doha, where he met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani. The two discussed the possibility of restarting negotiations for a comprehensive deal, covering all remaining hostages.
Last weekend, the Qatari prime minister met with US envoy Steve Witkoff aboard his yacht in Ibiza, while mediation efforts have been proceeding slowly.
Hamas: No substantial progress
Despite the mediators' intentions, Hamas sources said the group's delegation's meeting in Cairo this week with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad produced no real progress toward resuming negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release.
Instead, the Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, focused mainly on smoothing tensions with Egypt. Al-Hayya had recently urged Egyptians to march toward the Gaza border, sparking anger in Cairo. In response, Egyptian officials publicly accused Hamas of sabotaging the talks. Against this backdrop, Hamas representatives stressed their appreciation for Egypt's role as mediator and provider of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in a clear bid to mend relations.
Despite these frictions, Egyptian sources told Al-Qahera Al-Akhbariya Thursday that meetings between Hamas representatives and Egyptian officials are continuing. The sources said Egypt is intensifying contacts with all sides to overcome sticking points and bring the war to an end.
Meanwhile, the terrorist organization is preparing for continued fighting in Gaza, amid the arrival of additional supplies to the Strip. Hamas' internal security apparatus again issued directives to tighten procedures regarding the hostages' security. A Telegram channel linked to the agency warned of Israeli attempts to free hostages through special operations.
Hamas sources also cited "intensive maneuvers" by Israel, including actions by special forces units, patrols and "media campaigns." One Gaza based channel reported that this week an IDF special unit conducted an arrest raid in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, arriving in a Volkswagen and detaining a local man, Ismail Abd al-Karim Khatab.
Following this, Hamas' internal security instructed members not to reveal hostage locations, to be wary of rumors, and to increase secrecy and discipline at sensitive sites. Recently, Hamas threatened that the terrorists holding hostages had been ordered to kill them if IDF forces approached their hiding places.
"I believe recent talk of renewing negotiations and a so-called 'comprehensive deal' is exaggerated and inaccurate," said Hamas-affiliated Palestinian commentator Ibrahim al-Madhoun. "Reports about who will run Gaza or claims that certain people have been authorized to do so are unrealistic and unacceptable."
Al-Madhoun added that Hamas was open to creating a community assistance committee coordinated with Egypt to oversee an Israeli withdrawal but rejected all the names being circulated.
One of those names was Palestinian businessman Samir Khalila from Ramallah. In an interview with "Al-Arabiya," Khalila said he had been chosen to run Gaza more than a year ago but was committed to the Palestinian Authority's decision on the matter.
Al-Madhoun described Hamas' meeting in Cairo with Egyptian officials as a strategic dialogue aimed at strengthening ties, clarifying positions and assessing the early stage of negotiations. He said one key topic was Hamas' concern over an Israeli operation to capture Gaza and a plan to evacuate large numbers of Palestinians.
"In my view," he stressed, "there has been no substantive development in the talks. The last point reached was Israel's verbal response, which indicated there is no seriousness about reaching an agreement. Nevertheless, I believe Egypt is striving to resume negotiations from where they left off."
