Restarting Negotiations: Israel and Hamas Aim for Hostage Deal

Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal on freeing Israeli hostages held in Gaza are set to restart next week. This decision follows a meeting involving heads of Mossad, CIA, and Qatar's prime minister. New proposals will be led by Egypt and Qatar with active U.S. involvement.

Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal to free Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip are due to restart next week, an official with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday.

The decision to restart the talks, said the source, who declined to be identified by name or nationality given the sensitivity of the issue, came after the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency met with the head of the CIA and the prime minister of Qatar, which has been a mediator.

"At the end of the meeting, it was decided that in the coming week negotiations will open based on new proposals led by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar and with active U.S. involvement," the source said.