Israel Signals Openness to Gaza Truce Deal in Qatar Talks with Hamas

By Dler Mohammed

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Israel indicated on Sunday that it is open to reaching a deal with Hamas that could lead to an end to the fighting in Gaza, according to AFP, as indirect negotiations between the two sides resumed in Doha.

The announcement came amid reports of intensified Israeli military operations across Gaza. The Israeli military said the expanded campaign aims to fulfill the war's objectives, including the defeat of Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

"Even at this very moment, the negotiation team in Doha is working to exhaust every possibility for a deal — whether according to the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the fighting," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, referencing U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has previously mediated efforts to resolve the conflict.

Netanyahu’s office added that any potential agreement would include the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas fighters, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip.

Indirect talks in Qatar resumed without preconditions from either party, according to Hamas official Taher al-Nunu. A source close to the group said the negotiations involve “exchanging positions” and that Hamas is showing “great flexibility” in the hopes of bridging gaps with Israel.

The negotiations come after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire in March. Since then, diplomatic efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have failed to produce a breakthrough.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out ending the war without the complete defeat of Hamas, while the Palestinian group has consistently resisted demands to disarm. Despite these deep divisions, the resumed talks in Doha mark the most significant attempt in recent weeks to reach a negotiated end to the nine-month-long war.