Former Mossad head Yossi Cohen met with a leader in the Arab world on the subject of the Gaza hostages with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the latter's office confirmed Sunday evening.Cohen also held several diplomatic meetings and is in direct contact with National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, the Prime Minister's Office said.This is the first confirmation from Netanyahu of Cohen's active involvement in hostage release negotiations, having previously released a statement saying the only avenue for hostage negotiations is coordinator Gal Hirsch.

The IDF is prepared to attack from the North at any moment, Chief-of-Staff Brig.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said in a visit to the IDF's 210th Division in the North on Sunday."We are prepared to be on the offensive in the North, we understand it could happen," Halevi told the Israeli forces. "We trust you that the defense here is strong."We understand and hear the sentiment among northern residents...we aim to restore security on all fronts, not just along the Gaza border," Halevi added.