Cia Director Heads To Doha For More Cease-fire And Hostage Negotiations

CIA director Bill Burns will meet with Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian leaders in Doha, Qatar, Friday to discuss efforts to free the hostages still held by Hamas, according to an announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Netanyahu is sending an Israeli delegation — led Mossad chief David Barnea — to the region to meet with Burns, Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister, the announcement said.

Burns’ trip comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced optimism Wednesday about a possible deal between Israel and Hamas to release the remaining hostages and institute a cease-fire in Gaza.

“It’s getting closer. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible,” Blinken said while taking questions during a stop in Saudi Arabia.

Burns, who has been representing the U.S. in negotiations between Israel and Hamas to pause fighting and release the remaining hostages, highlighted the need for a cease-fire in order to end the serious humanitarian crisis in the enclave earlier this month.

“The reality is that there are children who are starving,” Burns said during a hearing on Capitol Hill earlier this month. “They’re malnourished as a result of the fact that humanitarian assistance can’t get to them. It’s very difficult to distribute humanitarian assistance effectively unless you have a cease-fire.”