CIA, Mossad chiefs heading to Europe to discuss exchange deal: Report
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William Burns and the head of the Israeli Mossad will allegedly meet with Qatar's Prime Minister in Europe as part of efforts to broker a captives deal with Hamas.
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US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns speaks at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on July 8, 2022. (AP)
Multiple informed sources told Reuters Thursday that the head of the Central Intelligence Agency and his Israeli counterpart will meet with Qatari officials in the coming days to discuss a second potential Israeli captive swap and a temporary pause in hostilities.
William Burns and David Barnea, the chief of "Israel's" Mossad intelligence organization, will meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe this weekend, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Another source reported that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel will also be present.
The Israeli channel 12 emphasized that the Israeli occupation leadership considers this meeting crucial, clarifying that its goal is to unify the path of Qatari and Egyptian mediation in order to exert joint pressure on the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas.
It added that the main red line for "Israel" so far is not ending the war once the prisoner exchange is completed.
The US and Israeli intelligence chiefs earlier met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, assisting in the negotiation of a brief truce in November that resulted in the release of more than 100 captives.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Burns has been “involved in helping us with the hostage deal that was in place and trying to help us pursue another one."
According to a third source familiar with the negotiations, "Israel" has suggested a 60-day pause in which more than 100 captives would be freed in stages, beginning with civilian women and children.
This will be followed by the release of civilian males, female troops, and the corpses of those who died during the war.
Netanyahu to continue war
The Israeli Channel 12 emphasized that the Israeli occupation leadership considers this meeting crucial.
According to the channel, Hamas' proposal includes a humanitarian release ratio of 100 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli captive. It also includes ceasefire periods between the exchange stages extending for approximately two months.
Elsewhere, the Hamas proposal includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as well as a complete ceasefire.
It is noteworthy that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated last week his position on continuing the war on the Gaza Strip and rejecting Hamas' conditions for the release of captives.
This comes at a time when settlers and the families of Israeli captives escalate protests demanding the Israeli government take action and immediately complete a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.
On Monday, a group of 20 Israeli settler protesters stormed the Knesset Finance Committee meeting in occupied al-Quds amid growing outrage over Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to take on a deal on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives. The settlers demanded action from occupation lawmakers to assist in releasing their family members being held as captives.
Netanyahu's residence was also surrounded by a group of settler protesters calling on the head of the occupation to work for the release of Israeli captives.
On its part, the Palestinian Resistance has repeatedly asserted that it will not negotiate a prisoner exchange until the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip ends, rejecting any temporary agreements.
