Mossad intelligence team recalled from Doha after ceasefire negotiation deadlock

AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to recall a Mossad intelligence team from Doha after reaching a "deadlock" in negotiations aimed at renewing the ceasefire and exchanging hostages with Hamas.

According to a statement by the Agence France-Presse, "After reaching a deadlock in the negotiations, and upon the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mossad Chief David Barnea ordered his team in Doha to return to Israel."

The Israeli team was in Doha to discuss the resumption of the ceasefire in Gaza with Qatari mediators, focusing on hostage release and establishing new ceasefire standards.

Hamas has held Israel responsible for not extending the humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying they refused "to deal positively with the offers [they] received through mediators".

Israel claimed that Hamas violated the agreement's terms by launching missiles towards its territory at night.

Qatari negotiators have announced the continuation of mediation efforts, repeating the call for an urgent ceasefire to avoid worsening the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has also stressed the need to resume the humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and simultaneously work towards a comprehensive political solution for all Palestinian territories.

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