War cabinet said to reject sending Mossad head to Qatar for new hostage deal, will wait for Hamas

The narrow war cabinet directing the war against Hamas has seen internal disagreements regarding the extent of efforts currently being taken toward talks on a new hostage deal, and decided recently against sending the head of the Mossad to Qatar to advance negotiations, Channel 13 news reports.

The report says war cabinet minister Benny Gantz is in favor of an Israeli initiative on the matter, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant believe Israel should wait for a signal from Hamas that it is interested in another deal, following military pressure.

The report cites an unnamed diplomatic official saying Mossad chief David Barnea, for now, “is not heading to Qatar, and the decision is that we are listening to suggestions if they come.”