Netanyahu scolds Mossad Chief over negotiations in Paris

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
26 Feb 2024 10:21

Upon return from Paris, the head of the Mossad is berated by Netanyahu regarding ongoing negotiations on the Israeli war on Gaza.

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in a military base in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, Saturday, October 28, 2023. (AP)

Israeli media reported on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu berated Mossad chief David Barnea following his visit to Paris, France.

On the matter, Israeli Channel 13 revealed that Netanyahu badgered Barnea and pressed him to adopt "a more stringent Israeli stance" in international negotiations regarding the war on Gaza.

Netanyahu also asked that major Palestinian prisoners be transported to Qatar once freed, Israeli Channel 12 reported.

Axios had detailed that the Israeli delegation that went to Paris, which included the Mossad chief, Shin Bet, and Israeli intelligence, will return to "Tel Aviv" and brief the war cabinet on the events of the Paris negotiations.

What happened in Paris?

"Israel" obstructed a final agreement to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal during the latest talks in Paris, private sources in the Palestinian Resistance told Al Mayadeen on Sunday evening.

Although sources explained that the latest meeting in Paris attempted to "bridge the differences" in proposed clauses between Hamas and "Israel", the meeting saw insufficient changes in the Israeli representatives' positions.

Some progress was made on specific clauses, however, the main demands made by Hamas were "ignored", the sources told Al Mayadeen.

Among the demands overlooked by the Israeli side was a clause for a comprehensive ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, according to the sources.

Al Mayadeen's sources further said, "it is clear that the gap between the two sides remains large," adding that Hamas believes that "Israel" is attempting to buy its time and "procrastinate to avoid reaching a final agreement, as that could trigger an internal crisis that may lead to the collapse of the (Israeli) coalition government."