Key US, Qatari Officials Meet Amid Hopes for Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal
CIA Director Bill Burns is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on Wednesday to discuss advancing a potential cease-fire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
The talks come amid intensified diplomatic efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to bridge significant gaps in the negotiations. A source close to the discussions indicated that both sides are working toward an agreement, though major obstacles remain.
Burns’s visit follows a series of meetings in Doha and Cairo involving senior officials. On Monday, an Israeli delegation met with mediators in Qatar, while US President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, held talks in Cairo on Tuesday. Boehler is also expected to visit Doha to discuss this further.
Hamas has described recent discussions in Doha as “serious and positive.” The group emphasized that a deal could be reached if Israel refrains from imposing new conditions. Similarly, Egyptian officials are optimistic, suggesting a potential agreement could be signed within days.
However, skepticism persists. Israeli officials quoted by Hebrew media noted substantial gaps between the sides, including Hamas’ demand to link any hostage deal to a cease-fire and the end of military operations in Gaza. “A deal isn’t around the corner,” one senior Israeli official said, dampening the optimism sparked by earlier remarks from Defense Minister Israel Katz.
