Israeli Delegation Will Travel to Qatar for Renewed Talks on Hostages Held by Hamas

Latest Developments

A new round of negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas is set to take place in Qatar on October 27. Mossad director David Barnea was in Egypt this week to discuss resumptions of a hostage deal ahead of the gathering of U.S., Israeli, and Qatari delegations in Doha this weekend. Barnea’s meeting with newly-appointed Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad was held “in good spirit,” with the two discussing terms for the release of hostages in Gaza, according to Ynet.

Barnea’s discussions in Cairo followed meetings earlier in the week between Egyptian officials and a delegation from Hamas led by the deputy chairman of the terrorist organization’s politburo, Khalil al-Hayya. Hamas reportedly told the Egyptians that it was ready to stop the fighting as long as Israel withdrew entirely from Gaza and committed to a full ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment on Hamas’s terms, but did say that he welcomed Egypt’s mediation in pushing a deal forward.

The resumption of negotiations in Qatar will mark the first meeting to include Israeli negotiators in two months, Axios reported. Barnea is set to join CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani for the talks.

Out of the more than 250 hostages seized by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, atrocities in southern Israel, 101 still remain captive in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken — speaking on the renewed talks in Doha on October 24 — said “We don’t know if Hamas is ready to engage. I anticipate we will learn more in the coming days.”

Expert Analysis

“Qatar is now negotiating a hostage release without any Hamas leader left in Gaza. This proves that Doha has been, all along, not a channel for communication with Hamas, but the location where Hamas makes its decision. It’s time that Washington applies more pressure on Qatar to compel the release of all of the hostages.” — Hussain Abdul Hussain, FDD Research Fellow

“Having Qatar continue to play the role of mediator while it supports and hosts Hamas has repeatedly failed in the past, leaving the hostages in miserable and cruel circumstances in Gaza. It is essential that this round of talks produce results — if they do not, then Doha’s unhelpful role should be spotlighted.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

Related Analysis

“Why did Israel shift military pressure and hostage release tactic?” by Seth J. Frantzman

“November Ceasefire in Gaza Collapsed After Hamas Lied About Female Hostages,” FDD Flash Brief

“Documents Detail Hamas Plan to Use Hostages to Remain Military Threat,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Executes Six Israeli Hostages in Rafah, IDF Returns Remains to Families,” FDD Flash Brief