Negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will resume this weekend, but a breakthrough is unlikely. This was reported by the television company CNN, citing sources.
They note that representatives of the United States, Israel and Qatar will gather in Doha this Sunday to discuss a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in the enclave. It is indicated that a breakthrough is unlikely in these negotiations before the presidential elections in the United States. Earlier on Thursday, Hamas announced that it would intensify contacts with a number of countries, including the Russian Federation, in order to force Israel to stop military operations in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north of the Palestinian enclave. The movement reported that Hamas delegations have already visited Russia, Turkey and Qatar, and are also in contact with Egypt, Iran and the UN. Negotiations on a truce in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas are being mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. After several rounds of consultations that resumed in August, the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the main aspects of the deal.
On October 24, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed that the head of the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, David Barnea, would travel to Qatar on October 27. In Doha, he is expected to meet with the CIA director and the Prime Minister of Qatar, with whom he will discuss the parameters of possible negotiations for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The participation of the new head of Egypt's General Intelligence Directorate, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, in the upcoming meeting in Qatar has not yet been announced.
