Mossad chief visits Qatar for talks on Hamas-held captives

David Barnea, the director of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, visited Qatar over the weekend to discuss a possible deal for the release of some Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying.

“Barnea continued talks with Qatari officials over the possibility of Hamas freeing some civilian hostages in return for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas is demanding that Israel allow deliveries of fuel, and a cease-fire, as part of a potential deal,” the sources added.

U.S. news portal Axios meanwhile quoted two informed sources as saying that the Mossad chief is trying to secure the release of the more than 235 Israeli and foreign nationals who were taken captive and brought to Gaza during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Qatar is currently the main mediator between Israel and Hamas over the issue of the hostages. The Biden administration is also working with Qatar on this issue because several of the hostages Hamas is holding are Americans.

The Israeli war cabinet last Thursday decided to begin its expanded ground operation in Gaza after Qatar's mediation didn't bear any fruit, two Israeli officials said.

Israel made the decision in part because Hamas refused to give Israel via Qatar a list of names of all the hostages it is holding, the officials said.

Hamas told the Qatari officials it is still in the process of finding out where all the hostages are located and their identities.

Barnea's trip to Doha took place after the ground operation started.

He resumed the hostage talks, which two sources briefed on the issue said were positive and constructive but haven't led to a breakthrough.

A third source briefed on the talks said progress had been made.

As part of a proposed deal, Hamas would release all the hostages in return for the release of the more than 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. It's a demand Hamas has made as well. Israeli officials said this formula is not being considered by the government at this point.