UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – CIA chief William Burns and Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea “will travel to Doha on Wednesday,” a source said, adding that they would meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The heads of the US and Israeli intelligence services are due to travel to Doha on Wednesday. The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing negotiations for a truce in Gaza. The Hamas government’s health ministry on Monday announced a new death toll of 38,193. Le Figaro takes stock of the situation.
CIA, Mossad chiefs in Doha Wednesday for ceasefire talks
The heads of the US and Israeli intelligence services are due to travel to Doha on Wednesday to discuss a deal between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza, a source familiar with the discussions told AFP on Monday. The heads of the CIA, William Burns, and Israel’s Mossad, David Barnea “will go to Doha on Wednesday”the source said, adding that they would meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Qatar has been engaged for months in backroom negotiations with Egypt and the United States to secure a truce in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. Barnea visited Doha on Friday, and Israel announced upon his return that a delegation would return to Qatar later this week. Egypt is also scheduled to hold meetings this week.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions, said the talks in the Qatari capital focused on “the transition from an initial truce to a period of more lasting calm”.
Hamas accuses Netanyahu of obstructing truce negotiations
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing negotiations for a truce in Gaza, as mediation efforts intensified in the tenth month of war.
“At a time when Hamas is showing flexibility and positivity to facilitate the conclusion of an agreement (…) Netanyahu continues to put new obstacles in the way of negotiations”the movement said in a statement.
Hamas said Sunday it would negotiate the release of the hostages in the absence of a permanent ceasefire with Israel, while talks are due to take place this week in Qatar and Egypt, two of the countries mediating with the United States. However, fighting and shelling continued unabated Monday in the northern Gaza City, where Israeli tanks stormed several neighborhoods, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee.
Hamas Health Ministry Announces New Death Toll of 38,193
The Health Ministry of the Hamas government, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, announced on Monday a new death toll of 38,193 in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war with Israel, which has entered its tenth month.
At least 40 people have been killed in the past 24 hours, he said in a statement, adding that 87,903 people had been injured in the Gaza Strip since October 7. Figures that are impossible to confirm at this stage.