Explosion in Negotiations in Qatar: Mossad Teams Returned to Israel

A day after the end of the ceasefire and the resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister's Office announced today (Saturday) that Mossad head David Barnea ordered his team in Doha to return to Israel. This follows the impasse in the negotiations that took place in Qatar, and under the guidance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The terrorist organization Hamas did not fulfill its part of the agreement, which included the release of all children and women according to a list that was forwarded to Hamas and approved by it," the Israeli statement said. "The head of the Mossad thanks the head of the CIA, the Egyptian Minister of Intelligence and the Prime Minister of Qatar for their partnership in the tremendous mediation efforts that led to the release of 84 children and women from the Gaza Strip in addition to 24 foreign citizens."

As a reminder, last week it was reported that Israel and Qatar are negotiating a release deal that would include the men held captive by Hamas, including the elderly, men of reserve age and soldiers. According to the British Financial Times newspaper, knowledgeable sources revealed to the newspaper's officials that, in anticipation of the current deal reaching the end of all the truce days and the hostages who can be released within the framework, Israel and Qatar are already holding talks regarding additional stages of deals for the release of hostages.