Israel will send the chief of its Mossad intelligence agency to Qatar to continue talks over a potential ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza, in a possible sign the negotiations may be advancing.

Spy agency director David Barnea's presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar,

Head of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency and military and political advisers will also be sent to Qatar for the ceasefire meeting