Netanyahu Dispatches Delegation for Hostage Negotiations with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a delegation to negotiate a hostage deal with Hamas to be dispatched. The move comes as a ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt, backed by the U.S., has so far failed. The delegation's destination was not disclosed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a delegation, tasked with negotiating a hostage deal with Hamas, to be sent out on Thursday, according to a statement from his office on Sunday.

Netanyahu conducted a meeting with the delegation and senior members of Israel's defence establishment. The statement did not disclose where the delegation is headed. Thus far, a ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt, and supported by the United States, has not resulted in any agreement. Both sides in the more than nine-month-old Gaza conflict blame each other for the deadlock.

(With inputs from agencies.)