A small delegation from Qatar arrived in Israel today with the aim of ensuring continued respect for the agreement between the Jewish state and Hamas on a hostage and prisoner exchange and a ceasefire, Israeli media reported..

A Qatari private jet, carrying members of the Qatari delegation, landed earlier today at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport. The aircraft had departed from Larnaca, Israel’s public Kan network reported.

A diplomat with knowledge of the visit confirmed the delegation’s arrival to the German news agency (dpa).

One of the diplomats, part of the Qatari delegation, stressed that the team went to Israel to ensure that the agreement continues to be implemented smoothly. They are expected to discuss further steps to implement the deal between Israel and Hamas – as well as with mediators in Doha.

Qatar and Egypt are considered important mediators in the war between Israel and Hamas. Qatar maintains close and extensive contacts with the Islamist group, although the Gulf country does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.