An Israeli negotiating team will depart Monday for Qatar to continue discussions on a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian factions, according to Israeli media citing informed sources.
“Participants in these talks include CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel,” reported the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
Sources indicate Burns might visit Israel later in the week to secure Tel Aviv’s approval of the deal. Barnea had traveled to Doha on Friday for meetings with the Qatari Prime Minister about the agreement.
Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been working for months to secure a truce and the release of 120 remaining hostages in Gaza.
Israel, defying a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued offensive on Gaza since an October 7 attack by Hamas.
More than 38,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and over 87,700 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Nearly nine months into the conflict, Gaza lies in ruins under a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine. Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
