Israeli delegation to Doha proceeds without Ron Dermer at the helm

Israel confirms that some progress has been made in the talks between the United States and Hamas. The progress followed talks that President Donald Trump's envoy, Adam Buehler, had with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Haya, who was a secret partner in planning the October 7 massacre, according to a report on the Kan Reshet Bet program "This Morning."

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Doha on Monday for negotiations, with its mandate to be determined today at a Cabinet meeting. U.S. envoy Witkoff will arrive in the region on Tuesday. The talks are expected to focus first on the question of the framework of the negotiations.

The delegation to Qatar will be at the work level only, and the head of the negotiating team, Ron Dermer, will not fly to Doha for talks. The delegation will include Gal Hirsch, a senior Shin Bet official, and other professionals.

The Saudi Al-Hadath TV reported last night that Hamas had agreed to the American initiative, according to which the first phase of the hostage deal would be extended in exchange for the release of several hostages alive. According to the report, the progress in the negotiations between Hamas and the Americans forced Israel to announce the dispatch of a delegation to Doha. However, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi denied the reports and claimed that they were not true. He stressed that Hamas was committed to the deal that had already been agreed upon and to the second stage of it.