CNN
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The push to release hostages in Gaza and negotiate a longer ceasefire is at a critical point as President Joe Biden sends CIA Director Bill Burns to Europe for talks involving multiple parties on a potential agreement.
Burns will meet with intelligence chiefs from Israel and Egypt as well as the prime minister of Qatar, signaling continued progress as the White House pushes for a deal.
The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, with officials sounding cautious notes about the volatile nature of the talks and the hurdles still to be overcome in reaching a deal that satisfies all sides.
A key sticking point is Israel’s firm stance against a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which is a major demand from Hamas. It is unclear how this significant difference will be resolved.
Nonetheless, advancements have been made in the negotiations for a hostage deal organized into three stages, which would encompass the release of civilians, soldiers, and deceased hostages held in captivity.
Burns is expected to meet with Mossad director David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence director Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in France over the weekend, according to informed sources. The CIA declined to comment on his travel plans.
Burns and Barnea played central roles in a November agreement that led to a temporary pause in fighting in exchange for the release of over 100 hostages.
These talks are the latest in a series of recent diplomatic efforts aimed at releasing the over 100 remaining hostages and moving towards a prolonged halt in hostilities. This flurry of activity represents the most concentrated effort in months to reach an agreement that could significantly change the course of the conflict in Gaza.
From the White House, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described the ongoing discussions as productive but cautioned that no imminent breakthroughs should be expected.
On Friday, Biden spoke with Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss the ongoing hostage negotiations.
Kirby stated, “We continue to do everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal just like we did back in November.”
A statement from the White House on Friday indicated that Biden and Al Thani “affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and to ensure additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza.”
Both leaders stressed the urgency of the situation during their conversation, the statement added.
Kirby also mentioned that Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East, was returning to Washington on Friday from meetings in the region and described those talks as “a good set of discussions.”
“At every level, from the president right on down, we’re doing everything we can to bring these moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters back home to their families,” Kirby said. “Our thoughts remain with them, of course their loved ones, as well as all of the innocent Palestinians that continue to be caught up in this war.”
A diplomatic source informed CNN that Qatar’s prime minister is expected to travel to Washington next week. Qatar has played a crucial role as a mediator in talks with Hamas.
US officials are now optimistic about a much longer ceasefire, believing it could create an opportunity for more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and for continued discussions about the future of Israel’s campaign against Hamas and the future of Gaza.
Over the past week, Qatar has proposed ideas to both Hamas and Israel, including a two-month ceasefire timeline with hostage releases occurring in phases.
The first phase would involve releasing the remaining women, children, and the elderly, followed by a subsequent phase that includes Israeli soldiers and the bodies of deceased hostages.
In return, Palestinians held in Israeli jails would be released in a three-for-one exchange, similar to the deal struck last year, according to a second source familiar with the matter, who estimated the process would take around a month.
Each stage would entail a pause in fighting and the delivery of aid to the North and South of Gaza.
Remaining obstacles
Hamas has been insistent on terminating the war beyond a temporary ceasefire, a point of contention for Israel, which has focused on discussing one phase at a time accompanied by pauses and prisoner releases.
As part of the current proposals under discussion, the conclusion of the hostage release process would coincide with a permanent ceasefire, a condition Israel has been unwilling to accept.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, have indicated that the war may continue throughout the year, possibly into 2025. Netanyahu has also become increasingly vocal in rejecting a Palestinian state, a priority for Biden and the US.
The Biden administration has been publicly urging Israel to transition to a phase of lower-intensity operations, including through telephone conversations between Biden and Netanyahu.
In addition to the Biden administration’s keen interest in seeing several Israeli-American hostages released, US officials view a ceasefire agreement and hostage release as pivotal to achieving a significant halt in the fighting that will facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid and enable Palestinians to return to their homes, many of which have been destroyed.
With two main parties each prioritizing their own interests and at least three primary mediators involved, there is a complex landscape of proposals and initiatives being put forward.
“These things are very fluid, they change every single minute,” said an official familiar with the discussions.
The talks will take place amidst renewed tensions between Israel and Qatar following a leaked recording purported to feature Netanyahu criticizing the Gulf state.
Burns and McGurk’s discussions with regional stakeholders come amid tensions between Israel and Qatar over a leaked recording, reportedly of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disparaging Qatar.
Qatar, in response to the tape, accused Netanyahu of undermining mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas war.
The White House reaffirmed its appreciation for Qatar on Thursday in the wake of the leaked recording, acknowledging Qatar’s role as a key mediator in the hostage talks.
“Qatar is a key partner in the region. We’re grateful for their support of our continued efforts to try to get hostages out of Gaza and reunited with their families,” Kirby stated in a Thursday evening communication.
CNN’s Betsy Klein and Katie Bo Lillis contributed reporting to this story.
