Israel-Qatar meet, raising prospects of Gaza hostage talks

Israel's intelligence chief, David Barnea, met with Qatar's prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, confirming that new negotiations are underway to recover hostages held by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war in Gaza is existential and must be fought until victory, with Gaza being demilitarized and under Israeli security control. Netanyahu vowed to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas and destroy the militant group. The accidental killing of three hostages by Israeli forces has increased pressure on Netanyahu to secure their release.