In return for a temporary ceasefire, CIA director Bill Burns will travel to the capital of Qatar on Friday to join in on discussions for a deal to release hostages taken by Hamas, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office.
Burns will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Mossad director David Barnea in an effort to expedite the negotiations, a source briefed on the issue and an Israeli official explained.
Hamas and Israel on Monday began to negotiate the specifics of a deal that would release Israeli hostages and allow for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, after months of discussions.
Both Israel and Hamas are under massive pressure to come to an agreement.
The negotiated proposal could result in a ceasefire in Gaza lasting six weeks, and see up to 40 hostages released in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Secretary of State Blinken explained during his trip to Saudi Arabia that Hamas and Israel were zeroing in on a deal.
Blinken will travel on Friday to Israel to meet with PM Netanyahu, as well as members of the Israeli war cabinet.
