Israel is dispatching a negotiating team to Qatar to address hostage release and ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, alongside plans to cut electricity supplies to Gaza amid ceaseless tensions. The IDF has appointed a new official spokesperson amid these developments.
An Israeli negotiating team is set to travel to Qatar on Monday to continue discussions aimed at facilitating the release of hostages held in Gaza and establishing a ceasefire with Hamas. This delegation will feature Gal Hirsch, the government’s coordinator for hostages, and Ophir Falk, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is anticipated to arrive in Doha midweek for further negotiations.
Over the weekend, Israel announced plans to cease all remaining electricity supplies to Gaza, a move framed as a strategy to pressure Hamas amid ongoing negotiations. Eli Cohen, Israel’s energy minister, stated that the country would deploy “all means available … to ensure the return of all Israeli hostages,” insisting Hamas would not be permitted to remain in Gaza post-conflict. In response, Hamas condemned these actions as “cheap and unacceptable blackmail.”
In a related development, Israel has appointed BG Effie Defrin as the new official spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), succeeding Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. Defrin’s appointment comes as part of a professional transition approved by Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, under the new chief of staff, Eyal Zamir.
Israel is intensifying its efforts in negotiations concerning the Gaza crisis by sending a dedicated team to Qatar. The planned electricity cuts to Gaza have drawn rebuke from Hamas and are aimed at increasing pressure for the return of hostages. The recent transition in military communication also reflects ongoing strategic adjustments within Israel’s defense leadership. Overall, the conflict remains complex, with international implications highlighted by developments in the region, including humanitarian concerns and broader geopolitical considerations.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
