Mossad chief arrives in Rome for hostage release, Gaza cease-fire talks

ANKARA

The chief of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad arrived in Rome on Sunday to participate in a four-party summit to discuss cease-fire and hostage exchange deal with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

David Barnea is expected join a summit with CIA director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel.

It is said that Israel submitted an updated proposal to Washington for a deal with Hamas.

Israel has killed more than 39,300 Palestinians since the Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives, and some 250 hostages were taken.

The group returned 110 captives and Israel released some Palestinian detainees during a seven-day truce that ended Dec. 1.

US President Joe Biden unveiled proposals for a three-phased truce on May 31, and talks continue.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi