Israel-Hamas negotiations to resume in Doha after weeks of deadlock

Israel and Hamas have revived indirect talks on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday evening.

Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported that a delegation led by David Barnea, head of Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad, met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

In its statement, Netanyahu's office did not give specifics on who attended what was described as an "initial meeting" in Doha. But it said that it had been "decided that next week a team will be dispatched to continue the negotiations."

The statement cautioned that "there are still gaps between the sides."

The talks, which the US, Egypt and Qatar are mediating, have been at a standstill for weeks, with Hamas insisting that Israel end the war in Gaza in return for the around 120 Israeli hostages still held by militants.

But the Palestinian Islamist group recently signalled a degree of flexibility and sent Israel a new proposal earlier this week.

On the table is a step-by-step plan presented by the mediating states and largely approved by Israel. It initially provides for a temporary ceasefire and the exchange of female, elderly and sick hostages for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

During the temporary ceasefire, the sides are to negotiate an end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages.

During the attack on southern Israel on October 7, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups killed 1,200 people and took a further 250 hostage in the Gaza Strip. Israel believes that around 120 hostages are still there, but many of them are probably no longer alive.

The unprecedented massacre triggered the war in Gaza, with Israeli leaders saying they are still intent on eradicating Hamas.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, around 38,000 Palestinians have been killed so far. This figure includes both fighters and civilians.