Ceasefire-hostage talks begin in Doha, official says

DOHA, Qatar — Talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal have begun in Doha, an official briefed on the talks tells Reuters.

Mossad spy agency chief David Barnea is expected to join his US and Egyptian counterparts and Qatar’s prime minister for the new round of talks.

Hamas officials have not joined the talks. However mediators planned to consult with Hamas’ Doha-based negotiating team after the meeting, the official says.

Israel’s delegation includes Barnea, head of the Shin Bet security service Ronen Bar, and the military’s hostages chief Nitzan Alon.

CIA Director Bill Burns and US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk represent Washington at the talks, convened by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel also in Doha.