CIA Director Indicates More Detailed Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Expected Soon, Reports Reuters

By Michael Holden

LONDON – The head of the CIA, who is also the chief U.S. negotiator for ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, announced that a more comprehensive ceasefire proposal is expected within the next few days.

After nearly 11 months of conflict in Gaza, CIA Director William Burns stated he is diligently collaborating with mediators from Qatar and Egypt to devise a ceasefire that addresses the needs of both parties.

"We will present this more detailed proposal hopefully in the coming days, and then we’ll see how it goes," Burns said during a joint appearance with Richard Moore, head of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service, at a Financial Times event in London.

He noted that political will is essential for progress and expressed hope that leaders from both sides would realize "the time has come finally to make some hard choices and some difficult compromises." Burns mentioned that while 90% of the agreement’s details have been settled, the remaining 10% tends to be the most challenging.

Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the taking of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has reportedly led to nearly 41,000 Palestinian casualties, according to health authorities in the region, causing widespread destruction in the coastal enclave.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

In a joint op-ed published in the Financial Times, Burns and Moore emphasized their combined efforts to support Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, with the British intelligence chief stressing the importance of continued Western backing.

Regarding Ukraine’s recent offensive into the Kursk region of Russia, Moore described it as an "audacious and bold" effort to alter the dynamics of the situation. He remarked, "It’s too early to determine how long the Ukrainians will be able to hold their ground in Kursk," noting that this incursion brings the war closer to the lives of ordinary Russians.

Burns referred to the offensive as a "significant tactical achievement" for Ukraine, acknowledging its exposure of vulnerabilities within the Russian military. However, he did not perceive any signs of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s power diminishing.

"There are questions among various people we observe within the Russian elite about the direction of this conflict," he commented.

Burns also revealed that he was dispatched by U.S. President Joe Biden earlier in the conflict to meet with one of his Russian counterparts to caution against the use of nuclear weapons, recalling a moment in the fall of 2022 when there was a tangible risk of tactical nuclear weapons being used. "We have continued to be very direct about that, and we cannot afford to be intimidated by such saber-rattling or bullying," he stated.

In their joint op-ed, the intelligence leaders issued a warning about a reckless campaign of sabotage being conducted across Europe by Russian intelligence operations.

Moore commented, "I believe Russian intelligence services have become somewhat unrestrained in their actions. The involvement of criminal elements indicates a level of desperation… their methods are becoming less sophisticated." He added that such amateurish tactics can potentially be more reckless and dangerous.