The "Washington Post" newspaper reported today (Tuesday) that the head of the American CIA, William Burns, arrived in Qatar, where he is expected to meet with the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani. During the meetings, Burns will try to formulate an "extensive deal" between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages.
According to the report, Burns' goal is to expand the negotiations on the identity of the kidnapped to be released beyond women and children as has been done so far, thus bringing about the release of men and soldiers as well. Burns is also pressing for the immediate release of all the American hostages held by Hamas, which are estimated to be 8 or 9 civilians.
It was also said that Burns is interested in reaching agreements on a longer ceasefire, taking into account the Israeli demand that Hamas release at least 10 hostages for each day of the ceasefire. The US fears that if no further arrangement is reached, the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip will not be possible.
Earlier today, the spokesman for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed Al-Ansari, held a press conference in which he said that his country is working to extend the ceasefire again beyond the two days agreed upon last night. "We are working from the first day to extend the truce to a final ceasefire," Al-Ansari said. "In the next 48 hours, we will focus on further extending the ceasefire, but this depends on Hamas confirming that it can release a larger number of hostages."
However, Al-Ansari claimed: "We cannot verify the number of abductees remaining in the hands of Hamas, beyond the 20 that will be released today and tomorrow. At this stage the priority is to release the children and women first, then the civilians, and then - the soldiers."
