Talks took place in Paris on Sunday between CIA Director William Burns and senior officials from Egypt, Qatar and Israel to discuss a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war, sources close to those who attended those meetings said.
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According to the same sources, these four countries also maintained contacts with the French authorities, the aim of which was to make progress on an agreement that would provide for a ceasefire in the fighting and the release of the hostages held by Hamas.
A security source told AFP on Friday that American President Joe Biden would send the CIA director to Paris “in the coming days” for talks with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts as well as the Qatari prime minister.
These meetings, which take place in various formats, began on Saturday and continued on Sunday.
AFP
US President Joe Biden spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, later this week about recent events in Israel and Gaza, including efforts to free hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The White House announced this on Friday to ensure that no “immediate” announcement was expected.
According to Israeli authorities, about 250 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Around a hundred were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire in late November, and 132 hostages remain held in Palestinian territory, 28 of whom are believed to have died.
This Hamas attack of unprecedented violence killed nearly 1,140 people, mostly civilians.
In response, Israel vowed to “destroy” the Palestinian Islamist movement, which has been in power in Gaza since 2007, and launched a massive military operation that, according to the latest report, claimed 26,422 lives, mostly women, children and teenagers. Hamas Ministry's assessment of health.
Among the possible agreements being discussed in Paris, the New York Times mentions an initial 30-day ceasefire to allow the release of women, the oldest hostages and the injured. During this period, according to the American newspaper, the parties would negotiate the details of a second phase, which would also last 30 days and allow for the release of men and soldiers.
According to the New York Times, the agreement would also include the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
AFP