CIA Director William Burns is expected in Israel tomorrow, where he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to information relayed by a reporter for the news website Axios.
William Burns traveled to Doha today for an emergency meeting with Qatar’s prime minister, a US official said earlier, “with the aim of putting greater pressure on Israel and Hamas to continue negotiations”.
Earlier, Egyptian media outlet Al-Qahera News reported that a Hamas delegation will return to Egypt on Tuesday to resume negotiations on the proposal to implement a ceasefire in Gaza coupled with the release of hostages.
“The Hamas delegation left Cairo tonight for Doha, where it will hold consultations and return on Tuesday to conclude the negotiations” being conducted through mediators with Israel, Al-Qahera News reported citing a well-informed source.
Hopes for the prospect of a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas at talks in Cairo have dwindled in recent days as the two sides’ differences have become apparent, notably over the implementation of a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
In particular, Hamas repeated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages only to receive a categorically negative response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Biden administration last week suspended the shipment of American-made ammunition to Israel, two Israeli officials told the news website Axios.
It is the first time since the October 7 attacks that Washington has suspended the shipment of weapons systems destined for the Israeli military.
The US president is facing fierce criticism from Americans who oppose Washington’s support for the Israeli government.
The US government asked Israel in February to provide guarantees that US-made weapons are being used by Chahal in Gaza as required by international law. Israel sent Washington a letter with the relevant assurances in March, according to Axios.
#CIA #Director #Monday #Israel #Meeting #Netanyahu
