Qatar’s Foreign Ministry is optimistic that a ceasefire can be reached in Gaza but has warned that it is still too early to discuss a breakthrough after months of talks to reach a pause in fighting. Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari confirmed that Mossad chief David Barnea had left the Qatari capital but “technical teams are meeting as we speak”. The last temporary ceasefire was in November, during which more than 100 Israeli hostages and 240 Palestinian detainees were freed, and increased humanitarian aid was permitted to enter Gaza.
