Israel Heads to Doha for Further Truce Talks Post Paris Breakthrough

Israel’s cabinet has been deliberating on the progression of negotiations for a ceasefire and a deal regarding hostages in the conflict with Hamas, amid growing concerns for the civilians in Gaza facing severe conditions.

An Israeli team, returning from negotiations in Paris, briefed the cabinet on Saturday, hinting at potential advancements towards an agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the meeting aimed to chart out the forthcoming steps in the discussions.

Subsequent reports indicated that the cabinet decided to continue these discussions in Qatar soon, marking a continuation of international efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to broker a deal. These efforts mirror a previous truce in November that resulted in the release of over 100 hostages.

The call for the swift return of captives has intensified domestically, with significant public demonstrations in Tel Aviv demanding urgent action.

Amid these developments, protests against the government also took place in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators decrying the government’s policies on various fronts, including the ongoing conflict.

The dire situation in Gaza, now under siege for over four months, has escalated to “unprecedented levels of desperation,” according to the World Food Programme, with the UN warning of a looming famine affecting 2.2 million people. The severe shortages have led to extreme measures for survival among residents, with reports of a two-month-old infant dying from malnutrition.

In response to the humanitarian crisis, Save the Children has called for the Israeli government to facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza. Israel maintains that it has allowed substantial aid into the territory since the conflict’s onset.

The conflict, triggered by a significant attack from Hamas on October 7, has led to substantial casualties on both sides, with a recent update from Gaza’s health ministry reporting significant deaths, mostly among women and children.

Netanyahu has proposed a post-war plan for Gaza that includes the administration of civil affairs by Palestinian officials not affiliated with Hamas and the creation of a security buffer zone. However, this plan faces opposition from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, as well as criticism from the United States.