Ammon News - The director of the Israeli Mossad met with Qatar's prime minister in Doha on Wednesday for talks about a hostage-release and ceasefire in Gaza deal, according to two sources familiar with the visit.

The Mossad director's trip to Qatar was part of an effort to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas before the inauguration of President-elect Trump in January.

There are 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, including seven Americans. Israeli intelligence services believe roughly half of the hostages are still alive.

Last week, Israel gave Hamas an updated proposal for a deal to release some of the remaining 100 hostages held by Hamas and begin a ceasefire in Gaza, two Israeli officials said.

The officials said Hamas has shown more willingness to be flexible and begin implementing even a partial deal.

On Tuesday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met for the fifteenth time with the families and told them the Biden administration is working with Trump and his team to secure the safe release of all hostages.

Biden and his advisers have been working closely with Trump's team in recent weeks to push for a deal that both leaders want before Biden's term ends and Trump takes office.

Sullivan is traveling to Israel, Egypt and Qatar this week in a last ditch effort to reach a deal before Trump's inauguration in less than six weeks.

Two sources briefed about Sullivan's trip said he is planning to press the Israelis, Qataris and Egyptians to do what it takes to conclude the deal within days and start implementing it as soon as possible.

Axios