The mid-level delegation taking part in indirect truce talks between Israel and Hamas is in Egypt to gauge whether there is any point in having Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar participate in negotiations in the coming days, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Israel is disappointed with Qatari mediation of late, says the official.

“They are not putting enough pressure on Hamas,” argues the official as talks take place in Egypt, a country with which Israel shares deep, long-standing security ties.

“We will not let Hamas re-establish itself in the north,” says the official.