Israeli intelligence agency Mossad chief David Barnia is expected to resume Gaza ceasefire talks with the Qatari prime minister and Egyptian officials in Doha on Sunday (17 March). A reliable source confirmed the matter to Reuters on Saturday (March 16).

The source said that the ceasefire talks will try to reduce the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government approved the Rafah attack on Friday (March 15) while keeping hopes of a ceasefire alive by sending another delegation to Qatar to discuss a possible hostage deal with the Palestinian armed group Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he plans to attack the city on the southern edge of the shattered Palestinian enclave, where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have taken refuge after five months of war.

On the other hand, global allies and critics have called on Netanyahu to halt the Rafah offensive, fearing massive civilian casualties. But Israel said, “Rafah is one of the last strongholds of Hamas and Israel has promised to eliminate Hamas.”

Israel also said, “The residents will be evacuated before the attack.”

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, “The United States has not seen the plan to attack Rafah, but Washington wants to see it.”

In a regular briefing, he said, “Israel could have agreed to the ceasefire proposal of Hamas for the hostages.”

Incidentally, Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Reuters reported that 100 of those wanted by Hamas are serving life sentences.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office regarding the Rafah attack plan said, “Hamas’ demands for the release of the hostages were unrealistic.” However, Tel Aviv will send a delegation to Doha after Israel’s cabinet discusses the proposal.

“The Israel Defense Forces are preparing to evacuate the people of Rafah,” the statement added.

However, Israel did not give a specific time frame for the Rafah attack.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters in Austria, “The U.S. needs to see Israel have a clear and workable plan to attack Rafah.” The plan should include protection of civilians from harm.