Israeli Delegation Sent to Doha Amid Intensified Military Threats Against Hamas

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that it is sending a delegation of representatives to Doha to continue negotiations with mediators regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal and Israeli media reported that the Israeli army has planned extensive military operations to 'punish' the extremist group Hamas if negotiations fail. Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis, including several recently released hostages from Hamas tunnels in Gaza, held protests in Tel Aviv and other cities on Saturday night, pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to take 'any necessary action' to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages in Gaza. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu decided on Saturday night, March 9, during a virtual meeting with cabinet ministers to accept the invitation of U.S.-backed mediators and send the Israeli negotiating team to Qatar's capital on Monday, March 11. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office rejected statements from Hamas leaders regarding 'progress' in negotiations. Abdul Latif Qanou, a Hamas spokesperson, stated on Saturday that there are 'positive signs' in advancing negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. According to Reuters, a Hamas delegation also met with the head of Egypt's intelligence agency in Cairo on Saturday, calling for 'immediate talks for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.' Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, has rejected the U.S. insistence on the release of living and deceased hostages, linking it to the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the final end of the war in the strip. The state of war between Israel and Hamas has entered its eighteenth month since March 7. Reports indicate that senior Israeli political leadership has ordered the country's military forces to prepare for an 'immediate' resumption of war in Gaza. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened that if all remaining hostages are not released, further destruction will be imposed on Gaza. He referred to this threat as a 'final warning' to Hamas leaders. He also warned the people of Gaza about the consequences, stating, 'A beautiful future awaits you, but not if you hold hostages. If you do this, you are dead!' Hamas responded that Trump's threats would only lead Israel to ignore the terms of the ceasefire. The Trump administration has also confirmed that unprecedented direct talks with Hamas have begun, while Washington had refrained from any contact with the group since designating it as a terrorist organization in 1997. Of the 251 hostages taken by Palestinian forces, 59 remain in Gaza, including five Americans. The deaths of four American hostages have been confirmed, while one, Aidan Alexander, is likely still alive. The White House announced that Trump met with eight of the released hostages, who expressed gratitude for his efforts to bring them home. The U.S. President had previously proposed a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, which faced severe criticism and provoked reactions from Arab leaders. In response, they proposed an alternative plan that would fund the reconstruction of Gaza through an escrow fund and return the administration of the area to the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, the Houthis in Yemen warned Israel that if it does not immediately revoke its decision to cut imports to Gaza, the group's attacks on Israel will resume. Mahmoud Al-Junaid, a member of the Houthi political office, acknowledged in an interview with ISNA on Sunday, March 10, that the group is facing many problems. He explained that 'Yemen suffers from siege, economic problems, and aggression, and the coalition's (Saudi) attacks against us continue.' According to Mahmoud Al-Junaid, the Houthis are trapped in a 'suffocating and large siege.' However, he noted regarding the group's attacks on commercial ships that 'this will not deter us.' Israel's Kan network reported that the country and the U.S. are 'prepared for a joint attack on the Houthis' in the event of repeated attacks by that group.