Israel pulls negotiators back from Qatar after 'impasse' in talks to renew ceasefire

Israel said Saturday it was pulling its Mossad negotiators out of Qatar, which is mediating efforts to secure a renewed pause in the Israel-Hamas war, after a deadlock in the talks.

"Following the impasse in the negotiations and at the direction of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, David Barnea, head of the Mossad, ordered his team in Doha to return to Israel," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

 "After the impasse in the talks, at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s behest, Mossad Director David Barnea ordered his team of negotiators in Doha to return to Israel. The terrorist organization Hamas has failed to fulfil its part of the agreement which stipulates the release of all women and children in accordance with the list submitted to and approved by Hamas," the statement said.

"The Mossad chief thanks the CIA leadership, the Egyptian intelligence minister and the Qatari prime minister for their tremendous mediation efforts that resulted in the release of 84 children and women from the Gaza Strip as well as 24 foreign nationals," Netanyahu’s office added.