Biden calls on leaders of Egypt and Qatar to exert pressure

An unnamed official who spoke to the American media stated that Biden recently sent private letters to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Accordingly, in his letter, Biden called on Egypt and Qatar to "exert pressure on Hamas to accelerate ceasefire negotiations."

The timing of the letters coincides with reports that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns will meet with senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Israel in Cairo to address the issue of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

US President Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, had called for an "immediate ceasefire in Gaza" and for "Israel to take steps toward a ceasefire in this regard."

Reports in the US media indicated that CIA Director Burns' visit to Cairo was expected to take place this weekend.

INDIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HAMAS AND ISRAEL

An Israeli delegation led by Mossad Chief David Barnea traveled to Doha, the capital of Qatar, on March 19 for a new round of negotiations regarding the release of hostages.

The Israeli press announced that prisoner exchange negotiations between Hamas and Tel Aviv had officially begun with the arrival of the delegation led by the Mossad Chief in Doha.

It was stated that the Israeli delegation also included Shin Bet (Shabak) Director Ronen Bar and Nitzan Alon, the official responsible for the file of kidnapped and missing persons in the Israeli army.

The Haaretz newspaper had claimed that Israel would conduct negotiations regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange directly with Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, without intermediaries.

In a report by Israel's Channel 12 television, it was noted that the negotiations could last approximately two weeks. Reports appeared in the Israeli press that Mossad Chief Barnea, who headed the Tel Aviv delegation, returned to his country on the same day.

News Source: AA