Israel said there were “gaps” in discussions with Hamas on how to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a deal to release hostages, but that it would send a delegation next week to new Qatar-brokered talks.
The announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman came after a delegation led by David Barnea, head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, held the first round of talks with mediators in Doha, AFP reported.
“It was agreed that next week Israeli negotiators will travel to Doha and continue the talks. There are still gaps between the parties,” the spokesman said in a statement.
There has been no cessation of hostilities during the nine-month war in the Gaza Strip since a seven-day pause in November, when 80 Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
