Skip to main content

What's next for Gaza cease-fire talks as Israeli officials arrive in Qatar?

The Paris outline for a hostage release deal sees the release of some 40 abductees in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a six-week cease-fire.

A photo shows a placard with portraits of victims during a press conference of representatives of families of French hostages in Gaza, at the Israeli Embassy in Paris, France, Feb. 6, 2024.
A photo shows a placard with portraits of victims during a press conference of representatives of families of French hostages in Gaza, at the Israeli Embassy in Paris, France, Feb. 6, 2024. — EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

An Israeli delegation has arrived in Qatar to discuss the new outline agreed by Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the United States on Friday for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza.   

The arrival of the technical delegation in Doha on Monday comes after senior Israeli security officials, including Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar met with CIA Chief William Burns, Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani in Paris on Friday. Negotiators reached an understanding of a broad outline for a potential hostage deal/temporary cease-fire, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday, without providing more details. 

The Doha talks will be a continuation of what was discussed in Paris, followed by meetings by high-level officials in Cairo, Al-Qahera news reported. The outlet is linked to Egyptian state intelligence services. 

The Israeli delegation in Doha has "a limited mandate" and the discussions will focus on the technical aspects of the deal, Axios reported, citing Israeli sources.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish