CIA Director arrives in Israel to discuss with Netanyahu halt the military offensive on Rafah
An Israeli official confirmed, Wednesday, that talks between CIA Director William Burns and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of halting the military offensive on Rafah in exchange for the release of Hamas hostages.
The two men held talks in Jerusalem as part of Washington’s efforts to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip after the Islamist group agreed to the proposal of the Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The Israeli official, who preferred not to be identified, told AFP that the two sides discussed the possibility of Israel halting its operations in Rafah in exchange for the release of the hostages”.
Israel didn’t heed international objections to refrain from launching an attack on Rafah, as its tanks penetrated at dawn Tuesday into Rafah, which is crowded with Palestinian civilians, most of whom are displaced.
The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it controlled the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing separating the Gaza Strip from Egypt, and that its forces were searching the area.
The Israeli incursion into eastern Rafah came hours after Hamas announced its approval of the truce proposal, which Israel considered far from what its negotiators had previously agreed.
Egyptian media reported that truce talks, which resumed on Wednesday in Cairo, were attended by all parties.
Hamas has warned that the ongoing talks represent a last chance for Israel to take back the hostages.
Talks have stalled over Hamas’ demand for a permanent ceasefire, while Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate the remaining militants in Rafah.
According to Israeli sources the meeting was also attended by Mossad chief David Barnia, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and other senior Israeli officials.
The meeting would take place, nor did there be any immediate announcement from the Israeli prime minister’s office about the meeting.
Earlier Wednesday, the Israeli media said that Burns, who managed the swap talks in Doha and Cairo, was arriving Wednesday in Israel.
