CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a potential truce in Gaza, as reported by Egyptian media outlets.
The meeting, referred to as the “quartet meeting,” took place amidst increasing international pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, where more than 28,000 people have reportedly lost their lives, according to health officials.
Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States, have been engaged in mediation efforts between the conflicting parties.
A proposal, negotiated with Israeli representatives in Paris last month, has been under discussion between the two sides.
An anonymous Hamas official stated that Hamas and other factions are anticipating the outcome of the Cairo meetings, expressing openness to any initiative that can bring an end to aggression and hostilities.
The pursuit of a ceasefire follows warnings from the United States and the United Nations cautioning Israel against launching a ground offensive into Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where over a million Palestinians are reportedly trapped.
