Netanyahu asks Israeli negotiating team to head to Qatar
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Following lengthy talks and consultations, the Israeli prime minister has requested that the Israeli negotiating team head to Doha to discuss a prisoner exchange deal.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, 'Israel' on June 8, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested that the negotiating delegation travel to Qatar, following talks with military and security Israeli officials, Israeli media reported.
Israeli channel Kan 11's political affairs commentator, Gili Cohen, reported that "At the end of exceptional security consultations that lasted 6 hours and addressed the issue of the Israeli document for a prisoner deal, a ceasefire, and other strategic issues, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli delegation will head on Thursday to continue negotiations."
Cohen further stated that Israeli officials who have taken part in negotiations were "Israel's" Chief of Staf Herzi Halevi, Mossad chief David Barnea, and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar. Moreover, Major General of the Reserve Force Nitzan Alon and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer also partially participated in consultations.
She noted that the group represented a cabinet similar to the war cabinet, which would head to Doha, Qatar, led by Barnea.
Reportedly, the agenda included the repercussions of a prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire agreement on the Northern Front [against Hezbollah] and the issue with the Yemeni Armed Forces, in addition to the strategic affairs.
Netanyahu focusing on Gaza until US elections
In this context, Channel 13's military affairs commentator, Alon Ben David, stated that "the discussion with the prime minister was a strategic discussion that lasted several hours and addressed the possibility of a prisoner deal, but also the situation on all fronts, because it is clear to everyone that a prisoner deal in Gaza is the first step in the initiation of negotiations and the cornerstone that affects the entire region."
He further noted that without a prisoner exchange deal, settlers would not return to the North, amid diminishing trust in the security and military establishment, while Netanyahu continues focusing on Gaza until the US elections are concluded.
The Israeli correspondent added, "They do not notice that the prime minister is willing to take a step to change the reality in the north, and in return, they do not notice that he is willing to resort to a prisoner deal, and here exists a window of opportunity that will close because it is not (open) forever."
Sources within the Israeli security establishment are concerned that "losing more time will cause us to lose the upper hand in the prisoner exchange deal, specifically the Netzarim corridor," Israeli reports revealed on Saturday.
Military affairs correspondent Nir Dvori of Channel 12 stated that the international community and international courts "are not going to wait and will begin applying pressure to evacuate the corridor and allow residents to return to northern Gaza, which will prevent us from securing the return of the captives."
"This is a leverage point we must not lose, and we need to make use of this time," he added.
