Exclusive: Insights into negotiations behind closed doors in Doha

A maze of sources part of intense negotiations told Muslim Network TV the intricate details of what went on behind closed doors

By Iftikhar Gilani

ISTANBUL (MNTV) – The setting was an unassuming two-story building in the heart of Doha, Qatar, whose unassuming exterior belies the drama unfolding inside. There was tension in the air as key players from around the world gathered for a negotiation that could change the political landscape of the Middle East.

Under the hum of neon lights, a diplomatic ballet played out as mediators shuttled back and forth between floors, each step laden with the fragile weight of progress.

A tangle of sources, some of whom were involved in the intense negotiations from Doha to Istanbul, told Muslim Network TV the intricate details of what was happening behind closed doors.

The diplomats’ whispers, the adversaries’ unwavering positions and the mediators’ delicate balancing acts created a complex web of strategies, ultimatums and breakthroughs.

From the initial disagreements to the final moments of agreement, these insiders painted a vivid picture of a diplomatic process characterized by tensions and last-minute hurdles.

On the first floor, representatives of the United States, Qatar and Egypt huddled in groups over maps and documents. Their hushed voices, punctuated by heated exchanges, betrayed the gravity of the task ahead.

On the second floor, the Israeli delegation, which also included Mossad chief David Barnea, Ronen Bar from the Shin Bet and Nitzan Alon, the head of the military hostage service, worked in icy silence. They had established a secure communication network with Tel Aviv. Their cautious expressions reflected the skepticism that prevailed in their team.

Above them, on the second floor, sat high-ranking Hamas officials, led by Khalil Al-Hayya. Although their stoic demeanor conveyed an unyielding determination, they were authorized to approve the proposal presented by former U.S. President Joe Biden in May 2024, which had also been endorsed by the UN Security Council in June. However, this proposal was not implemented because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu constantly rapped the U.S. on the knuckles and kept changing the goalposts.

Coffee-stained tables and the haze of cigarette smoke lent the scene a gritty realism. For three sleepless nights on the night of January 14-15, there were whispers that “ every little detail” had to be ironed out”.

Dictionaries were consulted again and again, as even the smallest semantic shifts could jeopardize the agreement. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the building remained characterized by uncertainty.

High stakes at stake

Late on Wednesday afternoon, January 15, a breakthrough seemed to be within reach. But as the American delegation emerged visibly tense from a crucial meeting, it became clear that Israeli approval was still pending.

In the midst of this tension, Donald Trump’s announcement of an agreement on social media shortly before Wednesday evening added another explosive element to the already precarious situation.

As it later turned out, the premature statement was a strategic play to force the negotiators’ hand. The cost, however, was that tempers flared and the talks almost collapsed.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Brett McGurk continued their efforts to save the negotiations. They convinced the Israeli delegation that it would be suicidal to delay the agreement after Trump had announced it to the world.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel acted as stabilizing forces. Their often precisely timed interventions gave the tense talks a decisive breathing space to move forward.

An hour later, the starting signal came from Tel Aviv and the Qatari Prime Minister entered the press conference room in Doha to announce the agreement. Half an hour later, President Biden announced the agreement to the media in Washington.

Despite this grueling 96-hour negotiation marathon in Doha, Israel was still reluctant to sign it. Tel Aviv wanted Hamas to present a complete list of the prisoners and their state of health who were to be released.

The Israelis, who insisted on transparency, demanded assurances and suspected that some prisoners on the list might already be dead. Hamas argued that it was impossible to get any information from the group in light of the intense Israeli bombardment. As soon as the bombing stops, it will be able to reach its cadres on the ground.

However, Qatar and Egypt prevailed to break this impasse and the agreement was signed by both parties the next day, January 16 almost 24-hours later, when it was announced.

The agreement, first proposed by President Joe Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council, provided for a phased approach.

Within 42 days, Hamas would release 33 Israeli prisoners in batches, while Israel would release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in return. The plan gave priority to humanitarian cases and excluded people linked to the October 7 attacks.

Another cornerstone was the provision of humanitarian aid. The Rafah border crossing was to be reopened under the supervision of the mediator to allow the delivery of essential supplies and the evacuation of wounded civilians to Egyptian hospitals.

The agreement also provided for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from key areas of the Gaza Strip, including the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors, over a 50-day period. Egypt would assume responsibility for securing these areas, signaling a significant change in regional dynamics.

Relief in Israel

According to experts, the ceasefire also brought some relief to Israel, as months of unrelenting war had taken a toll on both military and civilian morale. Reservists, weary from long deployments, welcomed the respite.

In Tel Aviv, however, skepticism still prevailed. Hardliners in the Israeli government viewed the agreement as a gamble that could embolden Hamas, while others saw it as a bittersweet victory.

Dahlia Scheindlin writes in Haaretz that this ceasefire comes as a great relief to many Israeli soldiers. After the events of October 7, 2023, Israeli reservists were highly motivated to participate in what they perceived as a war of survival.

Many volunteered even before they received their call-up orders, resulting in a call-up rate of over 100 percent. A third of Israeli reservists have served more than 150 days since the beginning of the war.

Over the months, however, it has become increasingly difficult to get reservists to respond to call-up orders, especially those who have completed multiple deployments, sometimes amounting to hundreds of days.

One senior officer, a lieutenant colonel who served intermittently as a reservist during the war, explained that enduring yet another tour of duty is unbearable for many spouses. Of the 295,000 reservists the IDF claims to have called up during the war, 118,000 are parents, including 115,000 fathers.

Michael Milshtein, head of the Forum for Palestine Studies at Tel Aviv University’s Dayan Center and former head of the Palestine Division of IDF Intelligence, noted that many reservists would also like to return home. “The family is the DNA of Israel,” he remarked.

A report published last month showed that 75,000 businesses have closed since the war began, including 59,000 in 2024 alone – the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Shiri Daniels, the national head of counseling at Eran, a non-governmental organization that provides anonymous and immediate help for the mentally ill, explained that the group has received over 40,000 requests for help from soldiers, not including those who sought help after their service ended. This represents an increase of at least 100 percent compared to previous years.

Other non-profit organizations such as Natal and the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center reported a 145 percent increase in contacts from individuals expressing suicidal intent. Recently, the IDF reported that 21 soldiers took their own lives in 2024 – the highest number in a decade.

For the Palestinians in Gaza, the ceasefire was a glimmer of hope in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. The years-long blockade ha devastated the area’s infrastructure, leaving less than half of the hospitals in operation. The reopening of Rafah was a crucial step, allowing the delivery of vital supplies and the evacuation of the wounded.

However, the reconstruction of Gaza’s healthcare system and infrastructure requires continued international support. The World Health Organization estimated that the restoration of basic infrastructure would require an investment of $10 billion over a period of five to seven years.