In a turn of events that seems central in the build-up of friction, Israel has extended a top diplomatic relations team to Doha, Qatar, to meet with Hamas in an indirect plea over negotiations. The delegation, which consists of officials, such as coordinator for prisoners Gal Hirsch, political adviser Ofer Falk, and intelligence representative, left on Sunday preceding the planned visits by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington to meet U.S President Donald Trump.

Israel’s delegation aims to negotiate a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The mission of the delegation is twofold: the first is to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as to promote a hostage prisoner exchange, which could release Israeli hostages who remain in the custody of Hamas. The decision by Netanyahu to send negotiators was dramatic, to say the least, and it shows how much pressure the international community exerts on him to find a Diplomatic solution to the war that has lasted almost 22 months, and it also can be seen as the external pressure to find a solution that leads to the release of the hostages that has lasted this long.

Qatar has been a key negotiator between Israel and Hamas war. As the host to the Hamas leadership and the mediator of earlier deals, it has access to both sides, such as the January 2025 ceasefire. Its capital, Doha, is now a diplomatic centre in proximity talks, as Israel and Hamas carry out negotiations that are at an arm’s length.

Negotiations have, however, run into hiccups in the recent past. According to reports, the demands raised by Hamas, including assurances of unrestricted ceasefire and resumption of all halted UN-backed aid, proved to be unacceptable to the Israeli delegation. Israel arrived at the negotiations demanding that any deal must focus on the destruction of the military capability of Hamas and the release of its hostages.

All the delegation cares about now is reaching a cease-fire, which can last 60 days, in which a longer-lasting settlement could be worked out. This is in line with a call by the U.S, Qatar, and Egypt that take the following layered steps in their proposal.

There are about 20 Israeli hostages left in Gaza, not to mention dozens of other bodies that are not coming back. The negotiations are meant to free them-dead or alive-in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Qatar plays a key mediating role due to its access to both parties and previous ceasefire facilitation.

One of the main aims is to ease the difficult humanitarian developments in Gaza. A temporary ceasefire would allow making the aid, medical services, and safer channels to the displaced population. This recess is seen by many to be necessary to fight against further loss of civilian life.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is surrounded by sensitive politics. His right-wing coalition stands its ground in not making compromises unless there are concrete security guarantees. However, the rising pressure from the populace and the international community, even humanitarian organizations, nudges him to become involved in diplomacy. His future meeting with President Trump in the White House on July 7 makes it more urgent. Analysts say that going into the Washington meeting with a breakthrough in Qatar would strengthen his bargaining chip.

President Trump has been busy in terms of laying out a formula for a cease-fire, which he reported is the final proposal of Israel. He has threatened Hamas too with “grave consequences” in case they decline the terms. His emissary, Steve Witkoff, has also visited Israeli officials in a bid to further the deal. Through Trump, the U. S has high-profile involvement in a negotiated settlement.

Through a successful ceasefire, the dynamics in the region would be transformed, giving the population of Gaza relief and reducing tensions between the two nations. In the case of Qatar, it intensifies its image as a global broker. In the case of Israel, it shows flexibility in the diplomatic arena. To Hamas, it is an experiment on the ability to derive political benefits amid armistice agreements.

Hamas still demands a permanent end to hostilities and total withdrawal of Israeli forces, as Israel is unwilling to open the gate to a group it termed a terrorist. News of the amendments made by Hamas was reported as being unacceptable, as the demands to fill the gap are hard to achieve.

Negotiations stall over Hamas’s demands for unrestricted aid and a ceasefire, and Israel’s insistence on dismantling Hamas’s military.

Even though the diplomatic truce attempt was put in place, there are still Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and, occasionally, there are outcomes of civilian casualties. These activities present a danger of backfiring the negotiation process and escalating the flames of people, on both sides. Mutual trust is the crucial point in making real progress even after both parties have agreed on a ceasefire. The previous delays, like the disagreement on the kind of prisoners to be exchanged and the timing of the release of prisoners, are major obstacles.

The fact that Israel is sending its delegation to Qatar is an important event in the process of achieving the resolution of the Gaza dispute. It indicates that it is prepared, amid heavy political and citizen pressure, to consider a ceasefire and hostage exchange. The key is to find a balance between two radically different needs, namely peace in the next few months and long-term retreat, in a tense security situation.

Civilian casualties and trust deficits continue to threaten the fragile negotiation process.

The world will be on the lookout as the city of Doha becomes the hotbed of indirect diplomacy. Will the new ceasefire last 60 days and result in a significant pause? Are the other Israeli hostages able to come home? Maybe most importantly, does this delicate negotiation have a chance of leading to wider de-escalation, or will it fall to the burden of unresolvable conditions?

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.