Israeli Official: “Few Hamas Leaders Left in Gaza - A Small Boat Would Suffice”
First round of hostage deal talks concludes without resolution in Doha as reports emerge of significant progress toward a temporary ceasefire.
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Negotiations between Israeli representatives and Hamas officials to secure a hostage release and end the war in Gaza began Sunday in Doha, Qatar. The first round of discussions, which focused on the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the duration of a ceasefire, and the number of hostages to be released, concluded overnight without a breakthrough, according to Palestinian sources cited by Reuters.
The sources claimed that the Israeli delegation lacked the authority to reach a binding agreement with Hamas during this initial phase.
Despite the inconclusive talks, Arab diplomatic sources said over the weekend that a ceasefire and hostage release deal is in its final stages of negotiation and could be implemented within days, pending formal signatures. Unlike in previous rounds, Israel appears eager for immediate implementation, the sources said.
The framework under discussion reportedly involves a 60-day temporary ceasefire, but the most contentious issues, including disarmament, the future of Hamas’s military wing, and post-war civilian governance, are expected to be addressed in later stages.
Israeli Source: “Not Many Hamas Leaders Left”
In a statement to Axios, an unnamed Israeli official offered a stark assessment of Hamas’s standing in Gaza:
“There aren’t many senior Hamas leaders left. We won’t need a large ship to send them into exile - even a small boat would do.”
The official also noted that Israel demands the full dismantling of Hamas’s armed wing, but is open to offering amnesty to hundreds of fighters if they surrender their weapons.
Netanyahu Heads to Washington
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington, D.C. on Sunday afternoon. His visit includes high-level meetings with President Donald Trump, with a focus on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Iran, and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. Security and economic cooperation are also on the agenda.