Israel-based Channel 12 television stated that Mossad Chief David Barnea suggested the possibility of a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected it, Ednews reports.

The channel, citing unnamed private sources, reported that Barnea said he believed in the possibility of reaching an agreement, but noted that Netanyahu objected to the details presented.

Details of the agreement that Barnea believes could be signed include the release of 40 Israeli prisoners and the return of residents of Gaza's north to their homes without other conditions, according to the channel.

The channel stated that the Prime Minister found the agreement "weak" for Israel and gave instructions to make preparations for the occupation of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

According to the same source, Israeli war cabinet members Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot supported Barnea's position, but this did not stop Netanyahu from opposing and rejecting the agreement.

Indirect negotiation between Hamas and Israel for ceasefire and prisoner exchange
The Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Director David Barnea, went to Doha, the capital of Qatar, on March 18 for the new round of negotiations on the release of prisoners in Gaza.

The Israeli press had announced that prisoner exchange negotiations between Hamas and Tel Aviv had officially started, with the Israeli delegation led by the Mossad Director arriving in Doha.

It was stated that Nitzan Alon, who is responsible for the abductees and missing persons file in the Israeli army, was also included in the delegation.

In the news of Israel's Channel 12 television, it was noted that the negotiations could last about two weeks.