Israel says Doha talks with Hamas include 'possible end to Gaza war'

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday that an Israeli negotiation team is engaged in indirect talks in Qatar's capital Doha on a hostage release deal with Hamas, including a possible end to the Gaza war.

The negotiation team is working in Doha "to realize every chance for a deal," including one that will "end the fighting," secure the release of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, expel Hamas militants, and disarm the Gaza Strip, the office said in a statement.

The statement came as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed on Saturday in Doha, which, as a source close to Hamas told Xinhua on condition of anonymity, are based on a proposal submitted by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which Hamas had amended substantially.

It also followed Israel's announcement on Friday night that it had escalated operations in Gaza to mark the start of a newly-initiated military operation codenamed "Gideon's Chariots," which aims to expand the scope of fighting in Gaza and advance key war objectives, including the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas.

Since Israel resumed its intensified military assault on March 18, 3,193 Palestinians have been killed and 8,993 others injured, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 53,339, with 121,034 others injured, health authorities in Gaza said Sunday.

According to Israeli estimates, 58 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during its assault on Oct 7, 2023, on southern Israel remain in Gaza. Among the 58 hostages, 20 are believed to be alive.