CIA Director Bill Burns is anticipated to engage in crucial discussions with the intelligence chiefs of Israel and Egypt, alongside the Qatari prime minister, aiming to strike a deal for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. This information comes from a reliable US official familiar with the plans.
The upcoming meetings with Mossad director David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence director Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are set to revolve around defining the parameters of a prospective agreement. This deal would link the release of hostages with a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The meetings are scheduled to take place in Europe, with the CIA opting to remain silent on the matter.
White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk has also been actively participating in discussions this week in the Middle East to advance talks on the release of hostages. His visits to Cairo and Doha are integral to these ongoing negotiations. Egypt and Qatar have played pivotal roles in mediating with Hamas, including securing a temporary pause and the release of hostages in November.
Despite the White House not confirming Burns’ meetings, it underscored on Thursday that the ongoing hostage talks were being approached with a “sober and serious” attitude. The Washington Post was the first to report on Burns’ plans.
Burns and McGurk’s discussions with regional stakeholders align with tensions between Israel and Qatar arising from a leaked recording allegedly featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticizing Qatar. In the recording, purportedly Netanyahu’s voice, Qatar is described as “problematic,” expressing displeasure toward the US for renewing a lease on their military base in Qatar without securing concessions on hostages. Qatar accused Netanyahu of undermining mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Despite not commenting on Burns’ meetings, the White House affirmed its focus on securing the release of hostages, maintaining ongoing discussions with Israel and Qatar, even after the leaked recording.
