C.I.A. Director Meets with Qatari and Egyptian Officials in Effort to Broker Cease-Fire in Gaza
In a renewed push for a cease-fire in Gaza, the Biden administration has dispatched the U.S. spy chief, William J. Burns, to meet with top Qatari and Egyptian officials. The meeting, which took place in Doha, Qatar, included discussions on ways to bring Israel and Hamas closer to an agreement, according to an official briefed on the matter.
Egypt and Qatar have been key mediators in the talks between Israel and Hamas, who do not communicate directly with each other. By sending Mr. Burns to meet with officials from both countries, the Biden administration signaled its commitment to brokering a cease-fire to end the ongoing violence in Gaza and ease tensions in the region.
The proposed cease-fire, endorsed by President Biden, has received preliminary positive feedback from Hamas, but a formal response is still pending. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected ending the conflict without first dismantling Hamas’s governing and military capabilities.
Despite the efforts to reach a deal, Hamas has maintained its stance on not agreeing to a temporary truce and is pushing for a permanent cease-fire. The group’s senior official, Bassem Naim, emphasized the need for a lasting solution rather than a temporary pause in the fighting.
As the negotiations continue, the Biden administration remains hopeful that a deal can be reached to bring an end to the violence in Gaza. With key players involved in the discussions, including the Qatari and Egyptian officials, there is optimism that progress can be made towards a lasting peace agreement.
