According to Yediot Acharonot, Defense Minister Ehud Barak met recently with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Davos Economic Forum in Switzerland. Barak’s office has not responded to the report.
The two reportedly met for half an hour and discussed the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israel’s closure of Gaza crossings, and attempts to negotiate with Hamas for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Qatar has very good relations with Hamas, and has worked to advance negotiations for Shalit’s release.