Discussing The Hostages In Gaza, CIA Director Will Visit Egypt

CIA (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - US CIA Director William Burns will visit Cairo next week. This visit was to discuss with Egyptian officials about the release of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip.

This, according to media Axios, quoted two US and Israeli officials.

Citing Antara, Burns, the main negotiator of the Biden administration in an effort to release hostages, will travel to Cairo on Tuesday (13/2) to reach an agreement with Israel, the news said on Friday (9/2).

Israel reportedly told Egyptian and Qatar officials on Thursday (8/2) that it rejected demands made by Hamas in response to proposed hostage-taking deals.

However, Israel will reportedly be willing to negotiate based on proposals submitted two weeks ago.

The proposal involves a three-phase deal, which includes a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of people held hostage by Hamas.

On October 7, Hamas launched a massive offensive against Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 200 others. The attack sparked a retaliatory military operation by Israel, which caused the deaths of more than 27,500 people in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

In November, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas over a temporary ceasefire and exchange of several detainees and hostages, as well as sending humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire ended on December 1, after several extensions.

More than 100 hostages are believed to be still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.