In a covert diplomatic move, Mossad Director David (Dadi) Barnea met with Qatar’s prime minister in Doha amid intensified international efforts to broker a sweeping hostage deal and end the war with Hamas.
It has been cleared for publication that Mossad chief David (Dadi) Barnea made a secret visit to Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, where he held a closed-door meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The talks centered on advancing negotiations for a potential prisoner exchange agreement with the Hamas terror organization.
The visit came against the backdrop of renewed pressure from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey to craft a comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal — one that could halt Israel’s war against Hamas and secure the freedom of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Racing the Clock Before Possible IDF Operation
According to regional sources, mediators are seeking to use the limited window before a large-scale IDF offensive in Gaza to push for a diplomatic breakthrough.
However, the Mossad issued a statement distancing the mission from ongoing hostage deal talks:
“The Mossad chief traveled to Qatar for Mossad-related matters, not for negotiations on a hostage deal. He clarified during the meeting that a partial deal is off the table.”
Parallel Negotiations Across the Region
The Qatari prime minister also recently met in Ibiza, Spain, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, exploring options for a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, Hamas envoys traveled from Istanbul to Cairo earlier this week for discussions with Egyptian intelligence officials. On Wednesday, they met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, focusing on reviving stalled hostage and ceasefire talks.
The flurry of high-level diplomacy underscores the fragile balance between military escalation and negotiated settlement — with the fate of Israeli hostages and the course of the Gaza war hanging in the balance.
