The CIA chief will hold talks with regional leaders about a possible agreement to release hostages. This is the latest news
CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet with officials from Israel, Egypt and Qatar to discuss a deal that would secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plans.
The meetings come amid intense debate over the parameters of a new deal that would condition the release of the hostages on a cessation of fighting in Gaza. According to the official, the meetings are expected to take place in Europe.
U.S. officials said they remained focused on releasing the hostages after a leaked recording of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alleged criticism of Qatar sparked the Gulf state's anger.
Here's what you need to know:
Deadly bombings: At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured after an Israeli bombardment hit an area near Gaza City where people were waiting for aid deliveries, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. At least 25,900 Palestinians have been killed and another 64,000 injured by Israeli strikes in Gaza since October 7, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah reported on Thursday.
Growing crisis: According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing the World Health Organization, 14 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functioning and access to some is not possible due to the conflict. In addition, more than 50% of the enclave's population now lives in Rafah, southern Gaza, and people are facing deteriorating health and increasing hunger, according to the United Nations.
“The worst situation”: Surgeons with the humanitarian group MedGlobal in Gaza do not have the resources to calm patients while they clean their wounds, said the group's American co-founder Dr. John Kahler. Kahler, who has delivered humanitarian aid to Yemen from Haiti, called Gaza a “soul-shattering event” and “by far the worst situation” he has ever seen.
Denial of a leak: Families of hostages held in Gaza have denied leaking the recording of a meeting in which Netanyahu appeared to criticize Qatar, saying its officials recorded meetings while families were forced to leave their phones at the door. Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a CNN question about who leaked the audio that angered Doha. The White House on Thursday reiterated its gratitude for Qatar's role in mediation.
Genocide case: Israel has declassified more than 30 documents, including summaries of cabinet meetings, as part of its defense against South Africa's genocide charges at the International Court of Justice, an Israeli official told CNN. The ICJ is due to deliver a ruling on the case on Friday, which could call for a ceasefire in the conflict. The ICJ's rulings are legally binding, but the court has no mechanisms to enforce its decisions. The final decision on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza will likely take months or years.