WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden spoke Friday with his Egyptian and Qatari counterparts ahead of a trip by his CIA director to push for a deal to secure the release of more hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a break in fighting with Israel in 2017. Gaza.
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US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Qatar’s ruling Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani . He added that while the discussions had been constructive, “we should not expect imminent developments.”
“We continue to do everything possible to facilitate another hostage transaction, just as we did in November,” Kirby added.
CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet soon in Europe with David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, according to three people close to the case who insisted on anonymity to discuss sensitive discussions.
The meeting will focus on the release of the hostages in exchange for a pause in hostilities. The Biden administration hopes a deal could lead to an extended ceasefire that could eventually end the conflict, according to a U.S. official.
The CIA and the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the meeting.
Burns’ trip comes after a Middle East visit by senior White House envoy Brett McGurk this week focused on the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
McGurk also set the stage for another trip to the region by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who next week could make his fifth trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October.
Some 1,200 people were killed and Hamas and other militants kidnapped around 250 people during their October 7 rampage in southern Israel. Around 100 hostages were released in November as part of a week-long ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Around 130 people remain captive, but some have since been confirmed dead. Hamas has said it will only release more prisoners in exchange for ending the war and freeing thousands of Palestinian prisoners.