Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to Doha, Qatar, for talks with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani this week, in a meeting Israeli officials say was unrelated to ongoing hostage negotiations.

A senior security source said Thursday that Barnea made it clear during the meeting that the idea of a partial hostage deal � previously floated in back-channel discussions � had been dropped.

The visit comes as diplomatic efforts in the region appear to be stirring. Hamas has indicated openness to resuming negotiations, with senior official Taher al-Nunu saying talks would center on �ways to stop the war in the Strip, allow the entry of aid, and end the suffering of the people in Gaza.�

On Wednesday, a Hamas delegation led by senior figure Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials � their first such visit since Israel�s security cabinet approved a military operation to capture Gaza City last week. Despite the activity, an Israeli official said no new proposals from Hamas have been conveyed regarding a possible agreement.

Israel has not ruled out sending a delegation for talks, but officials say that no decision has been made. Mediators Qatar and Egypt are continuing efforts to craft a comprehensive framework that would include the release of all hostages and an end to the war. While the option of a smaller, partial deal involving only 10 hostages has not been entirely ruled out by mediators, Israel�s position on the matter remains unchanged.

According to Egyptian sources quoted by Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, the latest proposal envisions a two-stage process: Hamas would commit to a long-term ceasefire, freeze the activities of its military wing during a transitional period, and halt weapons manufacturing and smuggling. The plan reportedly includes the �symbolic exile� of certain Hamas leaders from Gaza, the deployment of temporary international and Arab forces, and a gradual IDF withdrawal under Arab and American supervision.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)