Mossad Chief David Barnea and CIA Director William Burns met today (Thursday) in Doha with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed Al Thani, to reach an agreement to release a number of hostages in exchange for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

According to a Reuters report, described by a source familiar with the details of the meeting as "vital" because the three parties were able to meet together for the first time since the outbreak of the war in Gaza to expedite the deal, the three also discussed the possibility of bringing fuel into the sector and additional humanitarian aid.

Sources familiar with the details of the meeting confirmed that the three parties made progress in the talks, but "several steps still need to be taken," and Qatari mediators last night spoke with Hamas activists regarding the terms of the deal.