Israel says Mossad chief discussed ‘new unified framework' during Gaza cease-fire talks in Doha

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel said on Monday that Mossad director David Barnea returned to Tel Aviv from Qatar after negotiating a "new unified framework" to end the war in Gaza.

According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Barnea met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and CIA Director William Burns in Doha.

"The sides discussed a new unified framework that integrates previous proposals and also takes into account the main issues and recent developments in the region," the statement said.

"The discussions between the mediators and Hamas will continue in the coming days in order to evaluate the feasibility of talks and the continued effort to advance a deal."

According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Barnea held late-night meetings with Qatari and US officials on Sunday, which resumed on Monday.

The newspaper reported a push for a joint meeting involving Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Mahmoud Rashad and a unified proposal that would lead to working-group negotiations.

The daily said Israel has reservations about Egypt’s proposal, which includes a two-day cease-fire in Gaza with the release of four Israeli hostages and several Palestinian prisoners.

Negotiators are said to be aiming for a larger deal that could link Lebanon, potentially involving a wide-scale prisoner release, including the return of bodies, such as that of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have so far failed to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza, but Washington maintains that Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Oct. 18 may lead to a breakthrough in talks.

Hamas, however, says the conflict will only end when Israel stops its military campaign in the blockaded enclave, which has killed over 43,000 people since last October.