NEW YORK – There are ongoing attempts “all the time” to move hostage talks forward, says a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entourage, adding that Mossad chief David Barnea is traveling regularly to move things forward.
The focus is on issues that are less controversial, in order to create some small measure of momentum, the official says. One example is the formula for exchanging hostages for Palestinian security prisoners.
But Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been out of touch “for weeks,” says the official. Israel asks Egypt and Qatar to get answers from Hamas, and they simply do not respond.
Still, Israel does not assess that Sinwar is dead.
But if he is killed, “we believe it will help us reach a deal,” the official adds.
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