Heads of Israeli and US intelligence meet with Qatari PM over Gaza truce

(Patria) - The heads of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel's Mossad met on Tuesday with Qatar's prime minister in Doha to negotiate a two-day extension of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, a source familiar with the visit said.

The meeting was intended to "build on the progress of the extended humanitarian pause agreement and
launch further discussions on the next phase of a potential agreement," the source told Reuters.

The outcome of the talks, which were also attended by Egyptian officials, was unclear, the source added.

CIA Director William Burns was in Doha "for meetings on the Israel-Hamas conflict, including talks on hostages," a US official said on condition of anonymity. The official did not provide details.

Burns, David Barnea, head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met a day after Qatar announced a two-day extension of the original four-day Gaza ceasefire agreement, which was set to expire overnight. Qatar, which hosts several political leaders of Hamas, is mediating negotiations between the group and Israel.

Officials at the meeting discussed possible parameters for a new phase of the ceasefire agreement, including the release of Hamas hostages who are men or military personnel, rather than only women and children, the source said. They also considered what might be needed to achieve a ceasefire lasting more than a few days.

Qatar spoke with Hamas before the meeting to gain insight into what the group might agree to. The Israelis and Hamas are now internally discussing the ideas explored at the meeting, the source added.

Barnea and Burns had previously been in Qatar to meet with Sheikh Mohammed on November
9. So far, there are no indications that Hamas is willing to release any Israeli men or military personnel.