The delegation will include key figures such as CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel, reported Yedioth Ahronoth. The participation of these high-level officials underscores the importance and urgency of the negotiations.
Sources indicate that CIA Director Burns may visit Israel later in the week to secure Tel Aviv's approval of the deal. This follows Barnea's recent trip to Doha on Friday for meetings with the Qatari Prime Minister, focusing on the specifics of the proposed agreement.
The urgency of the negotiations is heightened by widespread public demonstrations in Israel. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday, demanding the government finalize a hostage swap deal with Palestinian factions and calling for early parliamentary elections. Protests were notably large in Kaplan Square in central Tel Aviv, where demonstrators carried banners with slogans like "Deal Now" and chanted in unison for immediate action.
Similar protests occurred in Caesarea, with approximately 2,000 participants, as well as in other locations including the Karqur intersection, Bat Hefer, and Rehovot. The demonstrators emphasized the necessity of securing a hostage deal "as soon as possible" and urged the government not to "miss the opportunity this time."
The head of Mossad, David Barnea, returned to Tel Aviv after his meetings in Doha, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office subsequently announced that the negotiating team would travel to Qatar next week to continue the discussions.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts and international cooperation aimed at resolving the hostage situation and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, reflecting both the political complexities and the intense public pressure facing Israeli leaders. (ILKHA)