Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israel’s negotiating team to remain in Doha for talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal to “exhaust all efforts to release our hostages,” an Israeli source stated Saturday night.
The prime minister was in communication throughout Saturday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, as part of efforts to “dissuade Hamas from its refusal” in negotiations, the source stated.
"The prime minister gave the team full freedom of action," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday night, regarding the claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not grant a sufficient mandate to the Israeli delegation in Doha.
"There is only one framework on the table, which the US also supports - the Witkoff proposal."
Little progress in Friday talks
There has been no progress three days into the Gaza deal negotiations in Doha, Qatar, an Israeli source told The Post on Friday.
The Israeli delegation was originally expected to leave Qatar on Saturday night, according to Walla. US President Donald Trump left the region on Friday.
There are currently 58 hostages remaining in Gaza, as American-Israeli Edan Alexander was released last week.
It is believed that, following Alexander's release, as many as 23 of the 58 hostages are still alive.