CIA Chief to Travel to Europe to Discuss Gaza Hostage Talks

He will meet with Israel's Mossad chief, Qatar's PM, and Egypt's intel chief

CIA Director William Burns will travel to Europe in the coming days to hold talks about the hostage negotiations between Israel and Gaza, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

Burns is expected to hold a meeting with Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Egypt and Qatar have been mediating the latest negotiations between Israel and Hamas. There have been conflicting reports on whether or not progress is being made in the talks.

Israel is said to have offered a 2-month truce in exchange for the release of all remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, which is believed to be just over 100 people. But Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected Hamas’s offer to free the hostages if Israel ends its onslaught and has said the campaign in Gaza could continue into 2025. But he is under increasing pressure to secure a deal, and senior Israeli military officials have said diplomacy is the only way to get the hostages home safely.

Some reports indicate the two sides are considering a deal for a month-long truce and the release of some, but not all, of the Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.