Intel agencies hopeful of further truce extension in Gaza
As a two-day truce extension was agreed recently, The CIA and Israeli intelligence agency Mossad met the Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on November 28 in an effort to further extend the partial ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, reports Reuters.
The original deal meant that Israel would cease striking Gaza, where over 15,000 have died since October 7, in exchange for the surrendering of at least 50 hostages taken by the Gaza-controlling militant group.
The truce agreement also allowed the release of over a hundred Palestinians locked up in Israeli dungeons and allowed much need humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave.
As part of the truce extension, Hamas said that they would be releasing ten captives per day, many of whom are women and children.
READ: Deal reached for vital truce extension in Gaza
A source reporting on the details of the Doha meeting, in which Egyptian officials were also present, noted that the purpose of it was, “to build on the progress of the extended humanitarian pause agreement and to initiate further discussions about the next phase of a potential deal,” .
An American official said anonymously that CIA director William Burns was in the Qatari capital for, “meetings on the Israel-Hamas conflict including discussions on hostages,” .
Qatar has played a huge role in peace talks, leading the negotiations between the Palestinian group and Israel.
There is no information released as of yet regarding the outcome of the discussions.
Reuters/Al Jazeera
