Netanyahu authorises Israel negotiators to continue Doha hostage talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday authorised Israeli negotiators to continue talks in Doha to secure a hostage release agreement, his office said. Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US have taken place in Doha in recent weeks, rekindling hope for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement. In December, Hamas had said that although negotiations were continuing “in a serious manner”, Israeli negotiators had put forward “new conditions” that delayed reaching a deal.