The meeting was thought to be the first meeting between a senior Israeli official and Qatari officials since Hamas's response to the hostage deal proposal. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with senior Qatari officials in France,

Egyptian Foreign Minister Bader Abdelattay said on Monday that his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Cairo and joined talks on restarting ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

A key mediator has stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal. But Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive on some of the territory’s most populated areas.

As Egypt and Qatar step up pressure on Hamas in hostage talks, expert Lt.-Col. (Res.) Alon Eviatar says the group remains unmoved, using threats to stall IDF action in Gaza City.

This comes amid reports that mediators in the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip have submitted a new proposal to Hamas aimed at resuming negotiations

Plan for renewed assault comes as officials approve controversial settlement project that would split West Bank