by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – On Tuesday, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, and Israel’s Mossad Chief, David Barnea, held discussions with Qatar’s senior officials in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
The gathering aimed “to advance the achievements of the prolonged humanitarian pause agreement and to initiate subsequent discussions regarding the next steps in a potential agreement,” according to Reuters News Agency.
The meeting occurred one day after the announcement of a two-day extension to the initial four-day truce deal in Gaza, initially set to expire overnight. This extension aims to secure the release of an additional 20 hostages.
On October 7, known in Israel as the “Black Sabbath,” a total of approximately 240 hostages were abducted to Gaza during a terrorist attack on southern communities, resulting in the tragic death of at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians.
Qatar Plays a Pivotal Role
Since the beginning of the Simchat Torah War, Barnea has undertaken three visits to Qatar, which has been serving as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Additionally, he has reportedly hosted high-ranking Qatari officials in Israel.
Qatar assumes a crucial role in the region by strategically engaging with both sides of the conflict, with its young leader playing a pivotal role.
Over the past decade, the leader of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, 43, has been steadfast in his efforts to establish his small but wealthy country, boasting the world’s third-largest gas reserves and the sixth-highest per-capita income, as a significant player in global geopolitics.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, a group with ties to Qatar, has provided Thani with an opportunity to achieve a higher profile than any other Arab leader in quite some time.
In contrast to his regional counterparts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is not threatened by facing an uprising or a challenge to his rule from political Islamists.
Instead, Qatar hosts Islamist terrorist groups, including Hamas, alongside a trade office for Israel and accommodates thousands of American troops at the Al Udeid Air Base, where the United States routinely conducts operations in the region.
Qatar is a significant supporter of Hamas, annually transferring hundreds of millions of dollars to the group. The funds are directed toward aid for the poor in Gaza, payment for electricity, and purported financing of Hamas’ bureaucracy. Additionally, Qatar hosts the political bureau of the terror group Hamas, serving as the primary residence for its self-exiled leader, Ismail Haniyeh, as well as its former leader, Khaled Mashaal.
The discussions involving Qatari leaders, CIA Director Burns, and Mossad’s Director Barnea revolve around extending the temporary ceasefire for more days to ensure the liberation of all women and children held by terror groups in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, suggested that negotiations for the release of soldiers held hostage by Hamas could commence after the liberation of civilian hostages.
“The current priority is the release of civilian hostages, women, and children. Then will come the turn of the military ones,” Al-Ansari stated at a press conference.
As of now, there is no indication that Hamas is willing to release any Israeli men or military personnel among those taken captive.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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