Mossad chief travels to Qatar for talks after Hamas proposal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Mar 2024 14:13

An Israeli delegation will arrive in Qatar for mediated talks after the Resistance submitted its vision to mediators.

Israeli Mossad Director David Barnea speaks during the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) World Summit in the central coastal settlement of "Herzliya", in occupied Palestine, on September 10, 2023. (AFP)

"Israel" will send a high-level delegation headed by the chief of the Mossad intelligence agency to Qatar on Monday for mediated talks with the Palestinian Resistance, news agencies reported.

The official will engage in mediated talks with the Palestinian Resistance via Qatari and Egyptian officials, aiming to secure a six-week-long truce in Gaza. According to Reuters, the Israeli delegation hopes to secure the release of 40 Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip.

Citing an Israeli official, the news agency said that it could take at least two weeks for a deal to be finalized.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) said that the Qatari Prime Minister and Egyptian officials will be involved in the talks for a potential temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

A source speaking to AFP on the condition of anonymity said that Mossad Chief, David Barnea, Qatari Premier, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the Egyptian envoy will meet today to hold discussions on the issue.

Previous efforts to reach a deal between the two sides fell apart as the Palestinian Resistance demanded a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip be the basis of a prisoner exchange deal, while the Israeli side insisted on short truces and refused to promise an end to hostilities.

Earlier, on March 15, the Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas announced that it had presented to mediators in Qatar and Egypt a comprehensive vision regarding its stance on halting the aggression on the Gaza Strip and the issue of prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation.

The movement emphasized in a statement that this comes as part of its follow-up to negotiations through intermediaries to halt the Israeli aggression, provide relief and assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza, facilitate the return of the displaced to their homes, and the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Strip.

In its statement, it stressed that its vision is based on these principles and foundations, which it considers vital for any agreement, and that it will remain committed to the rights and concerns of the Palestinian people.