Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Hamas has returned to discussions after Israel launched a deadly military offensive on Gaza late on Friday. 

“With the launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots in Gaza, led with great force by the IDF [Israeli army] command, the Hamas delegation in Doha announced a return to negotiations on a hostage deal, contrary to the refusal stance they had taken up until that moment,” Katz said in a statement. 

Over 60 Palestinians have been killed since dawn today as a result of the latest Israeli aggression. 

Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nono indicated that these negotiations “began without any preconditions from either side”.

“Hamas will present its viewpoint on all issues, especially ending the war, withdrawal and prisoner exchange,” Nono added. 

According to the Israeli Channel 13, an Israeli official said that indirect talks have resumed in Qatar’s capital, with Hamas in attendance.