Israeli delegation to stay in Doha until Saturday despite no ceasefire breakthrough

​​​​​​​By Said Amouri and Ahmed Asmar

JERUSALEM/ Israeli media reported Friday that the Israeli delegation will stay in the Qatari capital of Doha until Saturday evening, even though no breakthrough has been reached on a ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Walla news portal cited a senior official who said delegation members recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keep engaged in the negotiations, considering that there are chances for a breakthrough.

The official, who was not identified, noted that the delegation will at least stay in Doha until late Saturday.

Israeli Channel 12, however, reported that the delegation has a limited mandate to discuss the outlines of the original proposal of US envoy Steve Witkoff, which includes releasing 10 Israeli captives from Gaza, along with the possibility of expanding negotiations to include a comprehensive arrangement for a ceasefire.

Walla added that the Israeli Security Cabinet may convene Sunday to discuss expanding Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The news website also cited a foreign source who said Qatari mediators described the current round of negotiations as the worst.

The Qataris also believe that the Israeli delegation did not come to Doha with serious intention for negotiations, the source told Walla.

Israel estimates that 58 captives remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,900 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons under dire conditions involving torture, starvation and medical neglect, which have led to numerous deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups and media.

The first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with US backing, took effect Jan. 19 and concluded in early March, with Hamas fulfilling its commitments.

On March 18, however, Netanyahu resumed the assault on Gaza, reportedly bowing to pressure from far-right factions in his ruling coalition, according to Israeli media.

During the three days of Trump’s regional visit that began Tuesday, Israel killed more than 260 Palestinians, a sharp rise compared to 78 killed in the previous three days, according to Anadolu’s tally based on data from Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.