Mossad chief said to propose Hamas leaders leave Gaza as part of ceasefire deal

File: Mossad Director David Barnea speaks during a Conference of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), in Tel Aviv, on September 10, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
File: Mossad Director David Barnea speaks during a Conference of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), in Tel Aviv, on September 10, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Mossad chief David Barnea proposed that Hamas leaders be exiled from the Gaza Strip as part of a broader ceasefire deal, according to a CNN report.

Citing officials familiar with the discussions, the US cable news network says Barnea raised the idea during a meeting in Warsaw last month with CIA director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken again floated the proposal while in Doha earlier this month.

One of the officials says the Qatari premier told Blinken that the idea “would never work,” as Hamas does not trust Israel would halt military operations in Gaza after the terror group’s leaders leave the enclave.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.