CIA Director William Burns has arrived in Qatar, where he was due to meet Tuesday with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts, as well as the Gulf state’s prime minister.
Burn’s trip is meant to examine the possibility of extending the pause in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip for a second time, multiple sources told Axios.
“Director Burns is in Doha for meetings on the Israel-Hamas conflict, including discussions on hostages,” a source familiar with the matter told The Post, declining to confirm whether the sitdown involved Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Mossad director David Barnea, and Abbas Kamel of Egypt’s intelligence service.
Israel and Hamas agreed Monday to an additional two-day pause in fighting, meaning combat would likely resume Thursday morning Israel time if no additional halt is brokered.
Top of mind for Burns is securing the release of additional American hostages after 4-year-old Abigail Edan was set free over the weekend. The White House had estimated that nine US citizens and one green card holder were being held captive by the jihadists.
President Biden has indicated the initial four-day pause that began Nov. 24 came with the understanding that Israel could extend the pause for each day that Hamas releases 10 additional hostages..
Under the current arrangement, Hamas is expected to release about 90 of the 240 hostages it took captive in its bloody Oct. 7 surprise attack.
Meanwhile, Israel initially agreed to release 150 Palestinian prisoners under the original deal and consented to set free 60 more under the extension.
Qatar’s involvement is significant, because the Middle Eastern nation has acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas — even hosting the terror group’s political leaders in exile.
Burns previously conferred with Sheikh Mohammed and Barnea in Doha on Nov. 9.
Approximately 1,200 civilians were killed in the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas, including 33 Americans.
Israel has responded by carrying out punishing bombardments of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and launching a ground invasion to root out the terror group and its infrastructure.