Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed on Saturday a delegation to travel to Doha in order to advance efforts toward a cease-fire and hostage release deal, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
The negotiating team will include Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon (head of the Missing and Captive Soldiers Division in the Israeli army), and political advisor Ophir Falk.
Netanyahu made the decision after holding an emergency situation assessment discussion earlier on Saturday on the topic of hostages and missing persons with Defense Minister Israel Katz, senior security officials, and representatives of the U.S. administration. Earlier on Saturday, Netanyahu met with Trump's incoming envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Haaretz reported shortly after that it had received information indicating that the Israeli army has authorized plans to swiftly withdraw troops from large areas of the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing hostage talks and what appears to be significant progress toward an agreement.
The army has studied numerous ways to withdraw troops from Gaza, the outlet reported, including via the Netzarim Corridor, which crosses from the sea to the opposite border with Israel, dissecting the besieged enclave and isolating northern Gaza.
According to Haaretz, the army emphasized that it would be able to implement any agreement approved by the political leadership in Israel, including one requiring immediate evacuation.
In the past, Hamas has made the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave a condition for even commencing negotiations, but recently softened its position, saying it would be willing to agree to a staggered withdrawal and gradual exchange of hostages.
