Hostage deal gaps narrow as Israel and US join talks in Qatar

Mossad Chief David Barnea to meet CIA Director William Burns in Qatar. Blinken says gaps between Hamas and Israel narrowing in hostage talks. Mossad Chief David Barnea is set to meet CIA Director William Burns in Qatar on Friday, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that an agreement could be coalescing between Hamas and Israel for the release of hostages. “The gaps are narrowing. And we’re continuing to push for an agreement in Doha,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Cairo during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. “The United States has been working in earnest with Council members over the last several weeks on a resolution that will unequivocally support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal, which would get hostages released and help enable a surge in humanitarian aid,” Nate Evans, spokesperson for the US mission to the United Nations, said on Thursday.