Talks underway in Qatar for longer humanitarian pause in Gaza: Report

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Talks have been underway in Qatar on a new agreement for a long-term humanitarian pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) said Tuesday.

KAN said the pause would include the release of all Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, including soldiers, and Israel’s release of Palestinian inmates, including some who had been “convicted” of killing Israelis.

It said the Palestinian group Hamas expressed its approval of the broad outlines of the new agreement but added that it demanded a “complete cease-fire,” which Israel still rejects.

Israeli media reported that the talks are being conducted by the head of Israel’s spy agency Mossad, David Barnea, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief William Burns, Director of Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend the initial four-day pause for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat