Source: Qatar, Israel Hostage Talks ‘Positive’ but Deal Not Imminent

DUBAI (Reuters/Hamodia) – A meeting of Qatar’s premier and the heads of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency and U.S. Central Intelligence Agency on Monday on steps to free further hostages held by the Hamas terror group was positive. But no deal is imminent, a source briefed on the diplomatic efforts said.

The three met in Poland’s capital Warsaw to discuss a potential new deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a potential release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails for terrorism offenses, and a “humanitarian pause” in Israel’s war on Hamas.

“The talks were positive with negotiators exploring and discussing different proposals in an attempt to progress on negotiations,” the source told Reuters. “An agreement is not expected imminently however.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he had “sent the head of the Mossad to Europe twice to promote a process for the release of our hostages”, without giving details of what was discussed.

“I will spare no effort on the subject and the demand is to bring everyone (home),” Netanyahu said.

The CIA declined to comment.

The talks between Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as the Gulf state’s foreign minister, Mossad Director David Barnea and CIA Director Bill Burns followed a meeting of the three in Europe last week.

Qatar and Egypt were mediators between Israel and Hamas in the late November truce during which Hamas released 110 women, children and foreigners it was holding in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian women and teenagers arrested for terrorism.