The C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, embarked on a crucial mission on Wednesday as he met with top Qatari and Egyptian officials in Doha to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. The Biden administration’s renewed efforts to broker peace in the region come as Israel and Hamas remain at odds over the latest proposal to halt the fighting.
In a closed-door meeting, Burns sat down with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. Both Qatar and Egypt have played pivotal roles as mediators in the talks between Israel and Hamas, who have been unwilling to engage in direct negotiations.
The focus of the meeting was to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas and move closer to an agreement. Qatar had reportedly received positive feedback from Hamas on a cease-fire proposal endorsed by President Biden, but was still awaiting a formal response. The Qatari prime minister and Kamel also met with Hamas leaders to discuss the proposal, indicating ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict.
President Biden’s proposal outlined a six-week halt in fighting that would eventually lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected ending the war without first dismantling Hamas’s governing and military capabilities. Hamas, on the other hand, has insisted on a permanent cease-fire and has refused to accept a temporary truce.
Amidst the public disagreements, Burns’ visit to Doha was not expected to yield significant progress, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar still needed to weigh in on the latest proposal, underscoring the complex nature of the peace talks.
The White House’s Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, was also set to return to the region for meetings in Cairo, signaling continued U.S. involvement in the peace process. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reaffirmed that President Biden’s proposal was still on the table, despite Netanyahu’s lack of public endorsement.
The proposal called for a temporary cease-fire followed by negotiations for a permanent one. While Netanyahu expressed openness to a 42-day pause in the fighting, Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan stated that Israel’s latest position did not include a permanent cease-fire or a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, terms that Hamas has insisted on.
As the diplomatic efforts continue, the world watches closely to see if a breakthrough can be achieved to end the violence in Gaza. The stakes are high, and the road to peace remains fraught with challenges, but the commitment of key players like Burns, Qatar, Egypt, and the Biden administration offers hope for a resolution to the longstanding conflict.