President Biden Sends CIA Director to Broker Deal Between Hamas and Israel for Hostage Release and Ceasefire
In a significant diplomatic move, President Biden has decided to send CIA Director William J. Burns to broker a deal between Hamas and Israel. The deal aims to secure the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza and establish the longest cessation of hostilities since the war began last year. Officials familiar with the matter have revealed that Burns will travel to Europe for the talks and meet with key intelligence chiefs and officials from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar.
Egypt and Qatar have played crucial roles as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas since the war in Gaza was triggered by a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7. These two countries were instrumental in securing an initial pause in hostilities and the release of hostages in November. However, tensions between Israel and Qatar have escalated after leaked audio of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disparaging Qatar surfaced.
The negotiations led by Burns will build upon his previous phone conversations with counterparts and the efforts of Brett McGurk, the White House’s top Middle East official, who has been holding related meetings in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and Cairo this week. Israel’s latest proposal includes a 60-day pause in fighting in exchange for the phased release of over 100 captives, starting with civilian women and children. This proposal would allow Israel to continue its military operations after the two-month lull, aligning with Netanyahu’s objective of achieving “total victory” by dismantling Hamas.
However, there are significant points of contention between the two parties. Israel has proposed that senior Hamas leaders leave Gaza, but this idea has been rejected by Hamas, as its military leaders are prepared to die as martyrs in the Palestinian enclave. Hamas has also rejected Israel’s 60-day pause proposal, insisting that the next hostage release should be accompanied by a permanent ceasefire.
Despite these challenges, negotiations on these key points are still active. Samir Farag, a former Egyptian general and defense official, believes that both Hamas and Israel are willing to return to the negotiating table. “Everybody wants peace – the Palestinians, Hamas, and the Israelis. But everybody wants to win in the negotiations,” he said. “We are trying to reach a middle ground.”
Hamas’s possession of the hostages has put the group in a strong position, according to Farag. He also noted that Netanyahu is under pressure to secure the release of the hostages, as the Israeli public is demanding it. Farag believes that if Netanyahu fails to take action, he will face significant political consequences, especially considering the loss of Israeli soldiers in the war.
The planned meeting between the spy chiefs and the Qatari prime minister indicates the advanced stage of talks between Israel and Hamas. A U.S. official stated that there have been enough exchanges of ideas and proposals to suggest that negotiations are entering a serious phase.
Although there are still disagreements regarding whether a pause in fighting can lead to a lasting ceasefire, the U.S. official remains cautiously optimistic. He believes that if a two-month pause can be achieved, there is a possibility of extending it further.
These discussions are taking place as Israel’s forces encircle the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis, where top Hamas commanders are believed to be located. The United Nations recently accused Israel of shelling a U.N. compound housing 30,000 displaced people, leading to rare condemnation from the United States. Israel has denied responsibility for any attack on the area.
Humanitarian organizations have reported that thousands of civilians are trapped in Khan Younis, with many seeking refuge in hospitals. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 25,000, with the majority being civilians.
The ongoing violence has strained relations between Israel and Qatar further. Netanyahu’s leaked remarks accusing Qatar of failing to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages have sparked anger from the Persian Gulf state. Qatar has condemned Netanyahu’s comments as “irresponsible and destructive.” However, a U.S. official has stated that this dispute will not derail the negotiations.
The involvement of the spy chiefs and the Qatari prime minister in these talks signifies the progress made in recent days. A deal involving the release of hostages and a lasting ceasefire seems within reach. However, Hamas has requested a guarantee that Israel will not attack them after the hostages are released, and the United States is seen as the only actor capable of providing such a guarantee.
Despite pressure from the United States, the casualty count in Gaza remains alarmingly high. The United States possesses crucial leverage due to its military assistance to Israel, but President Biden has yet to exert serious pressure on Netanyahu’s government.
Michael Milshtein, a former head of Palestinian affairs for Israeli military intelligence, believes that a deal could be reached in the coming weeks. He notes that there is growing support in Israel for such a deal, and Hamas also recognizes that further conflict could cause severe damage to the organization.
As the negotiations continue, all eyes are on Burns and his diplomatic
