Israel’s intelligence chief, Qatar’s premier and Egyptian officials are expected to hold talks in Doha on a potential Gaza truce and hostage exchange deal, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP.

The meeting between Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian envoys “is expected to take place today”, the source said on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the talks.

The talks in the Qatari capital are the first after weeks of intense negotiations involving Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators failed to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas for the Muslim holy month of Ramazan, which began last week.