Israel optimistic on ceasefire talks, as US says Biden and Netanyahu meeting likely

Israel’s head of Mossad left Qatar on Friday after talks with mediators on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, with Israeli officials expressing optimism on progress.

David Barnea, Israel’s spy chief, made a sudden trip to Qatar after the US announced on Thursday that Hamas’s response to a ceasefire proposal had created space for a “breakthrough” in talks that have stalled for months.

The announcement came as fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated, with US officials warning that Israel is weeks away from launching an offensive against Lebanon. If a deal is reached, it could provide an off-ramp to a major conflict. 

MEE reported last month that US envoy Amos Hochstein communicated to Hezbollah that it had roughly five more weeks to reach a ceasefire with Israel or the US would back its ally’s offensive on the Iran-backed group.

Read more: Israel optimistic on ceasefire talks, as US says Biden and Netanyahu meeting likely