CIA director William Burns arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday for a new round of negotiations aimed at freeing more hostages held in the Gaza Strip, according to US officials.

Burns and David Barnea, the head of Mossad, Israel’s spy service, are scheduled to meet Qatari officials. Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ political leadership in Doha, has been a mediator in the talks between Israel and Hamas.

Qatar announced on Monday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to extend a pause in fighting for two additional days to exchange more hostages and prisoners and to allow more aid to come into Gaza.

One US official said Burns’ talks in Qatar would be meant to build on that agreement.

US officials have been deeply involved in pushing for a deal to release hostages taken during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7.

Burns travelled to Doha on November 9 as he and Barnea held talks with Qatari officials who have been working on the issue.