Hamas fighters in Gaza. (File)
Gaza truce talks to resume in Doha before Netanyahu heads to US
Indirect negotiations between “Israel” and Hamas are set to resume Sunday in Doha for a Gaza truce and captive release deal, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.
Netanyahu had earlier announced he was sending a team to Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, though he said Hamas's response to a draft US-backed ceasefire deal contained "unacceptable" demands.
Under mounting pressure to end the war, now approaching its 22nd month, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet on Monday with US President Donald Trump, who has been making a renewed push to end the fighting.
A Palestinian official familiar with the talks and close to Hamas said international mediators had informed the group that "a new round of indirect negotiations... will begin in Doha today".
The group's delegation, led by its top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, had already arrived in the Qatari capital, the official told AFP.
On Friday, Hamas had said it was ready "to engage immediately and seriously" in negotiations.
Netanyahu, who confirmed “Israeli” negotiators were also en route, said that "the changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal... are unacceptable to Israel".
Hamas has not publicly disclosed its response to the US-backed proposal, relayed by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
“Enough”
Two Palestinian sources close to the discussions told AFP the proposal included a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living captives and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by “Israel”.
However, they said, the group was also demanding certain conditions for “Israel's” withdrawal, guarantees against a resumption of fighting during negotiations, and the return of the UN-led aid distribution system.
Recent efforts to broker a new truce have repeatedly failed, with the primary point of contention being “Israel's” rejection of Hamas's demand for a lasting ceasefire.