The Director of the C.I.A. held discussions with high-ranking officials from Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in an effort by the Biden administration to facilitate a cease-fire in Gaza. However, there seems to be a significant gap between Israel and Hamas regarding the latest proposal to halt the conflict.
William J. Burns, the U.S. spy chief, met with the Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, in Doha, Qatar. These discussions were crucial as Egypt and Qatar have been instrumental in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas, who do not engage in direct communication.
The Biden administration’s decision to send Mr. Burns underscores its commitment to brokering a cease-fire to end the violence in Gaza and ease tensions in the region.
The focus of the meeting was to explore avenues to bring Israel and Hamas closer to an agreement. Qatar had received initial positive feedback from Hamas on President Biden’s cease-fire proposal, but a formal response was still pending.
On the same day, the Qatari Prime Minister and Mr. Kamel met with Hamas leaders to discuss the proposal.
President Biden’s description of the proposal as a new Israeli offer aimed at a six-week cessation of hostilities with a permanent end to the conflict raised hopes for a resolution. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has insisted on dismantling Hamas’s governing and military capabilities before agreeing to a cease-fire.
A senior Hamas official reiterated the group’s stance that they would only accept a deal that guarantees a permanent cease-fire. The official, Bassem Naim, emphasized the need for a lasting solution rather than a temporary truce.
The uncertainty surrounding Israel’s commitment to a permanent halt in the fighting has led Hamas officials to question the sincerity of the Israeli government.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, expressed the need for a clear and unified Israeli position before progress can be made.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Burns’ presence in Doha was not anticipated to yield significant breakthroughs, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, remains a key figure in the ongoing discussions.
2024-06-05 14:38:26
Article from www.nytimes.com