Mossad's Barnea in Doha amid conflicting reports on purpose of visit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 21:26

Mossad chief David Barnea's visit to Qatar has sparked speculation over renewed Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

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Old wooden boats anchor at the Doha Corniche in front of the modern skyline in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Conflicting accounts surround Mossad Director David Barnea’s sudden visit to Qatar. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Barnea met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss a Gaza ceasefire arrangement and a possible prisoner exchange.

According to Axios, the visit marked the highest-level contact between "Israel" and a key mediator since ceasefire negotiations collapsed three weeks ago, with Barnea signaling that "Israel’s" declared plan to seize Gaza City is not a bluff, an apparent attempt to pressure talks forward.

His trip came as Hamas sent a delegation to Egypt for high-level discussions on achieving a Gaza truce, advancing inter-Palestinian reconciliation, and exploring a return to negotiations. Egyptian outlet Al Qahera News reported that Hamas expressed readiness to resume talks aimed at ending the siege and securing the rights of Palestinian detainees. Reuters noted that the delegation, led by Khalil Al-Hayya, met Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo in a renewed push to revive US-backed ceasefire efforts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, however, sought to minimize the political implications of Barnea’s mission. "The Mossad chief came to Qatar for matters related solely to the work of the service, and not to negotiate a deal to free the hostages," an official told RIA Novosti, adding that a phased captive deal is no longer under consideration.

The renewed diplomatic activity comes against the backdrop of intensifying Israeli bombardment of eastern Gaza City and a worsening humanitarian crisis, with growing international calls, from a coalition of 24 countries and humanitarian agencies, for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.