US CIA Director Revisits Middle East Amid Deadlock in Ceasefire Talks

"'Ramadan Ceasefire Agreement' US Goal Difficult to Achieve"

As ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have reached a deadlock, CIA Director Bill Burns has once again visited the Middle East, CNN reported on the 7th (local time).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

CNN cited multiple sources, reporting that Director Burns visited Egypt the previous day and is scheduled to visit Qatar on the same day.

CNN stated that Burns will not remain in Israel during this Middle East visit. It also indicated that, unlike before, the so-called 'quadrilateral meeting' involving the intelligence chiefs of Egypt and Israel and the Prime Minister of Qatar is unlikely to take place.

Burns has been participating in ceasefire negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Earlier this week, he also met with the Prime Minister of Qatar in Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the Hamas negotiation delegation held talks in Cairo on a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages but returned without finding any significant breakthrough. Egypt, along with Qatar, is a key dialogue partner for Hamas.

CNN quoted sources saying, "The likelihood of reaching an agreement by the start of Ramadan, which the U.S. had targeted, appears low."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.