Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved Mossad Director David Barnea’s participation in ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, marking a critical step toward potentially ending the 15-month war in Gaza that has left over 46,000 Palestinians dead.
Netanyahu’s office announced the decision on Saturday, though no exact travel date for Barnea was provided, according to AP.
Mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, the discussions have made little progress since a brief ceasefire was brokered in the early stages of the conflict, according to media reports.
Benjamin remains steadfast in his objective to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure, while the Hamas group continues to demand a complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll mounts, with hostages’ families urging the government to expedite a deal. Around 100 hostages have been held since Hamas’ attack in October 2023, and recent discoveries of two hostages’ bodies have intensified fears for their lives.
In addition to Barnea, Netanyahu is also dispatching Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar and senior military and political advisors to Doha.
This decision comes after consultations with security officials and negotiators representing both outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump.
International pressure to finalize an agreement is mounting, with Blinken expressing optimism about a deal “very close” to completion.
However, key sticking points remain, including the sequence of hostage releases, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and the degree of Israeli troop withdrawal.