A meeting is scheduled to take place this weekend in Qatar with the aim of reigniting discussions regarding a potential hostage and ceasefire agreement in Gaza. According to a reliable source, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will be hosting the meeting on Sunday, joined by CIA Director Bill Burns and Mossad Director David Barnea.
The officials are set to explore the possibilities of a new proposal, building upon the framework that was under consideration earlier in the summer before the negotiations stalled. The identity of the Hamas representative from Gaza remains uncertain, although Khalil Al-Hayya is identified as the primary point of contact for the group outside the region. Following the recent demise of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, it appears that the organization's political wing holds more influence, as per the source.
During a joint appearance with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Al Thani mentioned that a US negotiating team is expected to visit Doha to engage with Israeli negotiators. The primary focus of the discussions will be to explore avenues for progress in the ongoing negotiations. Blinken expressed optimism about the potential for a ceasefire and hostage agreement, citing it as the most efficient way to secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. He noted that the recent removal of Sinwar has removed a significant barrier to reaching a resolution.
