Netanyahu Approves Delegation's Trip to Qatar for Hostage Release Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the travel of an Israeli delegation to Qatar today, in the context of negotiations for the release of hostages. The Prime Minister's office stated that "the delegation will be headed by Mossad chief David Barnea, who will meet with his American counterpart William Burns, as well as the intelligence ministers of Egypt and Qatar." Netanyahu's office concluded that "the meeting of senior officials will take place as part of negotiations in Doha, with the aim of advancing efforts to bring the hostages back." Previously, Israeli officials had downplayed the likelihood of reaching a new agreement for the release of hostages, but this was before David Barnea's unexpected return to Doha, having left just two days earlier.