Hamas exchanged dozens of prisoners with the occupation during the truce last November (Reuters)
Israeli media said that Mossad chief David Barnea will head again to the Qatari capital, Doha, amid talk of progress in negotiations with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Barnea will head to Doha this Friday evening, noting that “progress has been achieved in the negotiations,” without giving details.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz stated that there was a “window that did not exist in recent weeks” that might lead to reaching a prisoner exchange agreement.
In an interview with Israeli Channel 12, Katz expressed his optimism about the possibility of achieving a deal, because Hamas wants to bring in humanitarian aid and a ceasefire, according to him.
The Israeli minister said that if an agreement was reached to exchange prisoners, it would lead to the postponement of the planned military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.
Katz expressed his belief that the United States would not stop supplying weapons to Israel, and he also said that he hoped that the "European umbrella" for Israel would continue.
Katz said that reaching a deal may lead to postponing the invasion of Rafah (Reuters)
At the same time, White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby said during a press conference today that talks on a prisoner exchange agreement and a ceasefire are making progress.
Kirby said, "We believe that we are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement, and talks about it are continuing."
He added, "There must be a ceasefire, so that we can recover the hostages and bring in more aid."
On the other hand, the Axios news website said that 81 family members of Israeli detainees in Gaza called on US President Joe Biden to use all means to pressure all parties to reach a deal.
Last Monday, indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange resumed in the Qatari capital, Doha, amid criticism in Tel Aviv of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to expand the powers granted to the negotiating team.
The Mossad chief returned to Israel on Tuesday after holding talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha.
Indirect negotiations are being conducted between Hamas and Israel through Qatari and Egyptian mediation, with the participation of the United States, in light of the continuation of the Israeli war on Gaza since last October.
A truce was previously held between Hamas and Israel for a week from November 24 to December 1, 2023, during which there was a ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners, and the entry of limited humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies