Mossad chief Dedi Barnea and the Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon to conduct negotiations on a prisoner exchange deal. According to a senior Egyptian official, “relatively significant” progress has been made towards reaching an agreement.

The source added in an interview with the Associated Press that the meeting will focus on drafting a “final draft” of an agreement that includes a ceasefire for a period of six weeks, while promising that during that period the two parties will continue negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire.

A Western diplomat in Cairo confirmed these details, but noted that "work is still required to reach an agreement." He added that today's meeting is "vital to fill the remaining gaps" to get the parties to agree to the terms of the agreement

The road to the deal is still long, Israeli media say. But behind the scenes, efforts are being made to narrow the gaps and Hamas's demands in order to agree on possible broad lines. CIA Director William Burns and officials from Qatar and Egypt will also attend the talks. The Israeli delegation left for Cairo, after Netanyahu gave the "green light" to do so.

The decision came after a conversation Netanyahu had yesterday with US President Joe Biden, in which the latter requested to send an Israeli delegation to hold talks in Cairo - even if Israel “does not see the horizon” for a new deal with Hamas.

Senior officials in Israel explained last night that the gaps in the deal are still large, and there is complete consensus on the Israeli side that the conditions put forward by Hamas are not negotiable.

The head of the Mossad is working with Egypt and the Prime Minister of Qatar to narrow the gaps and so that they can meet for a serious discussion about a peaceful solution.