Israel is sending a negotiating team to Qatar to discuss the release of hostages and a ceasefire with Hamas. This follows Israel’s announcement to cut electricity supplies to Gaza. The IDF has appointed BG Effie Defrin as the new official spokesperson, replacing Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. US special envoy Steve Witkoff will join talks in Doha later this week.
An Israeli negotiating team is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Monday to further discussions regarding the release of hostages held in Gaza and the ceasefire with Hamas. The delegation is set to include Gal Hirsch, the government coordinator for hostages, and Ophir Falk, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, is anticipated to arrive in Doha later this week, likely on Wednesday.
Over the weekend, Israel declared its intention to terminate the remaining electricity supply to Gaza. In a video announcement, Eli Cohen, Israel’s Energy Minister, stated that the country would utilize “all means available… to ensure the return of all Israeli hostages” and insisted that Hamas would not remain in Gaza following the war. In response, Hamas condemned Israel’s actions as “cheap and unacceptable blackmail.”
In related updates, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the appointment of BG Effie Defrin as the new official spokesperson, replacing Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. The transition was described as “orderly and professional” and approved by Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, under the direction of the new Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir.
In summary, Israel’s intention to cut off electricity supplies to Gaza, alongside the dispatch of a negotiating team to Qatar, underscores the escalating tensions in the region. Amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, the actions taken by both Israel and Hamas continue to provoke international scrutiny and response. The appointment of a new IDF spokesperson marks an important internal shift in Israel’s communication strategy during this critical period.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
