Israeli Security Cabinet to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire Today

(Patria) - The Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to meet today to discuss the "mandate" of a delegation set to travel to Doha for talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, the Prime Minister's Office announced.

The Security Cabinet and the smaller, five-member War Cabinet are meeting to "decide on the mandate of the delegation responsible for negotiations before its departure to Doha," the statement said, without specifying when the delegation would leave, AFP reported.

Israel did not send a delegation to recent ceasefire talks in Cairo.
The decision to send a delegation to Doha comes after Hamas submitted a new proposal for a six-week pause in fighting in exchange for the release of some hostages, as well as Palestinian prisoners. Earlier, Hamas insisted that any further release of hostages would be conditional on a permanent ceasefire.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a member of the War Cabinet, held a meeting on Saturday focused on the return of hostages, which included "representatives of the negotiating team," according to a statement from his office.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Saturday on X that he opposes sending a delegation for further talks on hostages. "Hamas's delusional stance shows that supporters of the agreement in the War Cabinet and the security establishment have lost the plot," he said.

"It is time to sober up from concepts and learn from mistakes," he added.