As Prime Minister Netanyahu’s significant visit to Washington concluded, a source in Netanyahu’s entourage told the Yisrael Hayom newspaper that: “Discussions have begun with the mediators regarding the possibility of extending Stage A of the hostage deal.”
The source added, “Mossad Director David Barnea is satisfied with the expected appointment of Minister Ron Dermer as the main person responsible for negotiations with Hamas.”
Meanwhile, a very senior Hamas official said on Sunday morning to the Saudi newspaper “Asharq Al-Awsat” that the organization does not wish to return to war. Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanoua added, “Attempts to expand military control over the Gaza Strip and divide it have failed.”
A member of Hamas’s political bureau abroad, Bassam Naim, told the French news agency that “the delay and lack of commitment we have seen in implementing the first stage certainly endangers the agreement.”
Naim added, “We are still ready to negotiate, but Israel is hesitating to begin these negotiations.”
Last night, a political source said that following the completion of the prisoner release phase, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the departure of a negotiating delegation to Doha, aiming to discuss technical details of the agreement. The source said that upon his return to Israel, Netanyahu will hold a security and political cabinet meeting regarding negotiations for the second stage of the deal.
Itamar Eichner reported on Walla that as part of the changes Netanyahu decided on regarding how the negotiations will be managed, Gilad Erdan, the coordinator for missing persons and prisoners, will be the first to head to Doha. Additionally, a former deputy head of the Shin Bet, “M,” has been added to the delegation. Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar pushed for “M” to be included in the negotiating team after his term as deputy director. Additionally, a senior official from the Shin Bet’s directorate, who participated in previous rounds, will also be part of the Israeli delegation.
As reported by VINnews