David Barnea Returned From Qatari Capital Doha Following An Initial Meeting With Mediators

Chief of Israel’s Mossad spy agency David Barnea has returned from the Qatari capital Doha following an initial meeting with mediators.

Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has announced that a team will be dispatched next week to continue the negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the dispatch of a delegation for negotiations on a ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Also read: Israel Reopens Erez Crossing Into Northern Gaza Strip

The recent development marks a renewed effort to negotiate an end to the nearly nine-month-long conflict, which, according to the Gaza-based health authorities, has resulted in the deaths of more than 38,000 Palestinians in the enclave.

Israeli Regulatory Body Approves Plans For Building 5,295 New Settler Homes Throughout Occupied West Bank

An Israeli regulatory body has approved plans for building 5,295 new settler homes throughout the occupied West Bank. An Israel-based settlement watchdog Peace Now, has stated in a press release that the Higher Planning Council of the Civil Administration approved the new construction during a two-day discussion on Wednesday and Thursday.

As part of their legalisation, the three outposts, namely Mahane Gadi, Givat Hanan, and Kedem Arava, were declared neighbourhoods of existing settlements.

The approval of the new settler housing units came a day after Israeli authorities approved the appropriation of 12.7 square km of land in the West Bank, marking the largest single appropriation in about three decades.