Watan-An Arab state hosted a secret and unannounced meeting that brought together the head of the Israeli Mossad, David Barnea, and the head of the American Central Intelligence Agency, Bill Burns.

The meeting discussed efforts to reach an agreement for the release of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israeli site “Walla,” citing an Israeli source familiar with the details.

The site reported that the head of the CIA briefed the Mossad chief, during a meeting held in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, on his recent talks in Egypt and Qatar regarding a prisoner exchange deal with the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.

The head of the American Central Intelligence Agency arrived secretly in Egypt last Wednesday to conduct talks on the efforts to liberate the prisoners, according to a U.S. official.

Reports suggest that this round of talks represented a last-minute attempt by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to reach an agreement on the prisoners before the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

U.S. pressure for a ceasefire before Ramadan

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan previously stated, during a meeting at the White House with the families of prisoners holding American citizenship, that the U.S. administration intends to continue pressing for an agreement even after the start of Ramadan.

Sullivan clarified that the White House believes the current proposed agreement on the table is fair to both sides. He pointed out that the United States continues to pressure Hamas through Egypt and Qatar and confirmed that talks will continue throughout the weekend to try to reach an agreement.

Ongoing mediation

Qatar and Egypt, with the assistance of the United States, continue to mediate between Israel and the Hamas movement to reach a new agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Israel estimates the presence of more than 125 prisoners in Gaza, while it holds at least 8,800 Palestinian prisoners in its jails.