Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Israeli delegation arrives in Doha for ceasefire talks

Israel’s Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing has reportedly raised objections with mediators regarding the poor physical condition of released hostages.

Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside the southern Israeli city of Sderot, Feb. 8, 2025. Photo by Dor Pazuelo/Flash90.
Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside the southern Israeli city of Sderot, Feb. 8, 2025. Photo by Dor Pazuelo/Flash90.

An Israeli delegation arrived in Doha, Qatar on Saturday night to continue the negotiations on the ceasefire with Hamas. U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is mediating the latest round of talks.

The working-level team includes Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch and officials from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Mossad and Israel Defense Forces. They were authorized to travel to the Qatari capital for technical discussions following the Gaza-based terrorist group’s release of three hostages and Israel’s release of 183 Palestinian terrorists on Saturday under the first phase of the truce.

The Israeli Security Cabinet will convene on Monday to determine the negotiation team’s mandate, according to Hebrew media reports.

Hirsch expressed anger over the poor physical condition of the three hostages released on Saturday, saying that Israel has raised objections with mediators and will respond accordingly.

Jerusalem is evaluating the possibility of reducing aid shipments into Gaza, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.

According to Israeli estimates, there are 76 hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza, including 73 abducted during the Oct. 7 attacks.

The activist Analilia Mejia leads by nearly 20 percentage points with 94% of the votes counted.
“Visas provided to foreign students to live, study and work in the United States are a privilege, not a right,” the department spokesman told JNS.
“We will not allow Iraq’s terrorist militias, backed by Iran, to threaten American lives or interests,” stated Scott Bessent, the U.S. treasury secretary.
Witness statements allege that Jewish students were singled out, monitored and blocked from entering the event, with some attendees reporting antisemitic remarks heard while waiting in line.
“His venom for Jews is part of the sickening rise in antisemitism and attacks against believers,” prosecutors said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force despite the announcement from Iran.