CIA director in Qatar for talks on Israel-Hamas war, hostages

CIA Director William Burns is visiting Qatar to participate in talks on Israel’s war with militant group Hamas and discussions regarding hostages, a U.S. official confirmed to The Hill.

Qatar helped broker a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, including a deal around the release of dozens of hostages held by the group in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of aid to besieged Gaza.

Burns will be joined by David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, as well as officials from Egypt, which has also mediated talks between Israel and Hamas, according to The Associated Press. A diplomat spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

The meeting in Qatar was first reported by The Washington Post, which cited three people familiar with the visit. The talks, according to reports, are focused on extending the Israel-Hamas truce, which began Friday and was extended for an additional two days Monday.

Under the initial four-day cease-fire, Hamas released four rounds of hostages, mostly women and children taken during the group’s Oct. 7 surprise assault in southern Israel.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Monday the extended truce is expected to see the release of 20 more hostages, who will also be women and children. 

Kirby added the negotiating parties will work toward extending the pause again, but the U.S. is focused on one piece “at a time,” and such extension is dependent on Hamas continuing to release hostages. 

The Post reported Burns is urging Hamas and Israel to widen the focus of hostage negotiations to include the release of men and military personnel. He is also seeking a longer multi-day pause, those familiar with the matter told the Post.

Though Israel has agreed to these temporary cease-fires, it has stressed its determination to eliminate Hamas and its military capabilities. Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 13,000 people since Oct. 7, according to the Hamas-ruled health ministry in the region, per The AP.

Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel later this week, where he will “discuss Israel’s right to defend itself consistent with international humanitarian law, as well as continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza, and accelerate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza,” the State Department said in a statement.

He is also expected to discuss the future of a Palestinian state in post-conflict Gaza and preventing a wider escalation of the conflict, the department added.