Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that an Israeli delegation is likely to head to the Qatari capital, Doha, this week to attend a new round of negotiations regarding the release of the hostages.

The Israeli newspaper said that the military cabinet is expected to meet tonight or tomorrow (Sunday) to discuss the “manoeuvre space” that will be granted to the head of the Mossad, who will head the team that will arrive this week to hold talks in Qatar. After that, the issue will be put up for discussion in the expanded political and security ministerial council.

An Israeli official told CNN on Friday that the Israeli War Council will meet on Saturday evening to discuss and formulate guidelines for the delegation. He continued that the reason the delegation headed to Doha was that a response had finally been received from Hamas, although "It is still extreme and ridiculous," and he expected negotiations to be "very difficult."

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Hamas continues to adhere to unrealistic demands," but an Israeli delegation will be sent to Doha for further negotiations.

A second Israeli official who spoke to the American news network said that his country will take a decision by the end of Saturday regarding the scope of the mandate granted to the negotiating team and will authorize the mediators to strengthen indirect negotiations with Hamas.