David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, is in Rome for indirect talks concerning a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, an Israeli official confirmed on Sunday.
Barnea met CIA chief William Burns, Qatari and Egyptian officials in the Italian capital, the official said, confirming an earlier report by the Israeli news site ynet.
Truce talks, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, have been stalled for months. Since May, the discussions have centred around a multi-stage plan proposed by US President Joe Biden, which aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Additionally, hostages held by Hamas are to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The first phase of Biden’s plan envisions a ceasefire lasting approximately six weeks. During this period, a group of hostages would be released.
In the next phase, the fighting would permanently cease, and the remaining hostages would be freed. In the final phase, according to the draft, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin. (DPA)