CIA Director to Visit Egypt for Gaza Ceasefire Talks

In a strategic move aimed at de-escalating the conflict in Gaza, US President Joe Biden plans to dispatch CIA Director William Burns to Egypt this week. According to Axios, the visit is part of a broader effort to broker a ceasefire and a potential hostage exchange agreement with Hamas.

Sources familiar with the matter informed Axios that Burns is scheduled to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss a pathway to a second agreement for the release of Israeli hostages, coinciding with a temporary ceasefire. This development comes as Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Gaza in recent days.

The report also mentioned that delegations from Israel and Hamas were in Cairo last week, deliberating on a proposal initially presented at the Paris summit.

Burns has been a key figure in President Biden's team, actively involved in negotiating the hostage deal and ceasing hostilities. His impending trip to Cairo underscores the possibility of reaching a substantive agreement.

U.S. officials acknowledge that a hostage deal may be the only viable route to a ceasefire in Gaza. In a televised statement on Thursday, President Biden expressed his strong commitment to achieving an agreement, highlighting the urgency of resolving the crisis and restoring peace in the region.