This came according to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari, who said at a press conference that "the two delegations are present, and discussions are being facilitated with each delegation separately."
Al-Ansari stated that "discussions are currently underway regarding an initial negotiating framework before the start of the final phase," adding, "We are presenting a framework and initial principles, and after agreement is reached on them, we hope to move to the stage of discussing the proposal."
He also reiterated that "what is being discussed is a general framework paper, and detailed talks have not yet begun." He continued, "It is too early to discuss any details, but there is positive engagement from both sides. The process takes time, and it is not possible to provide a clear timeline for achieving results."
The Qatari official pointed to "the efforts of the mediators (Qatar, Egypt, and US supervision) to bridge the gap in the negotiating framework and create a suitable environment," and emphasized that "the mediators' efforts are focused on reaching a stage to end the war in Gaza," in response to a question about the existence of guarantees for a complete cessation of hostilities.
On Sunday, an Israeli delegation arrived in Doha to resume indirect talks with Hamas through mediators, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange.
On Saturday, the Israeli government announced its approval to send a delegation to the Qatari capital to negotiate a prisoner exchange deal proposals with Palestinian factions, following a "positive" response from Hamas.
Brokers are optimistic
The official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that mediators are "optimistic" about bridging the gaps between the two sides, paving the way for an agreement.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli political source indicated that indirect negotiations with Hamas would likely take longer than expected, stressing that Tel Aviv would not accept the establishment of a Palestinian state, clearly undermining the two-state solution.
The source acknowledged, according to what was reported by the official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, that "Israel does not rule out the possibility of governing Gaza for a specific period of time." He also said that US President Donald Trump "is still serious" about the "voluntary migration" plan for Gaza Palestinians.
Hamas has repeatedly announced its acceptance of previous ceasefire proposals, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently stalled, imposed conditions, and insisted on continuing the genocide. Meanwhile, the opposition and the families of the detainees believe he is seeking to remain in power to evade his corruption trial.
On Monday evening, Netanyahu, who began his visit to Washington on Sunday and will conclude on Thursday, met with President Trump at the White House.
In statements to reporters, Netanyahu continued to promote the campaign to expel the Palestinian people, using genocide as a tool, claiming that "Gaza should not be a prison, and its people should be given the free choice to stay or leave."
In contrast, Egypt is seeking to implement a plan adopted by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in March, which aims to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians. Implementation will take five years and cost an estimated $53 billion.
But Israel and the United States rejected the plan, clinging to Trump's plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. Both countries rejected the plan, and other Arab countries and regional and international organizations joined them.
So far, the Israeli negotiating team sent to Doha does not include senior security officials, such as Mossad chief David Barnea or retired Major General Nitzan Alon, who are expected to join when negotiations approach an agreement, according to the same source.
Tel Aviv estimates that there are 50 Israeli detainees in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 10,400 Palestinian prisoners are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
Ministers and officials in Netanyahu's government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Sotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have repeatedly declared their opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state and have urged the displacement of Palestinians from the country and its settlement.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
This war left more than 194,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands displaced.
