The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the US foreign intelligence service.
A major pillar of the US intelligence community, the CIA operates to safeguard US national security and interests. It does this by collecting information and carrying out covert operations in countries across the world.
The agency's activities include counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and more.
Former CIA director and retired general David H. Petraeus stressed that without Israel’s continued presence, any efforts at rebuilding Gaza could be undermined by terrorists.
He also noted his worry in the interview, describing the pager attack operation as something "that has repercussions.
Burns has emphasized the CIA’s independence, ensuring that intelligence assessments remain objective and unaffected by political bias, a critical factor in dealing with complex global issues.
US negotiators have been more vocal regarding their criticism of Hamas, particularly in the aftermath of the terror group’s execution of six hostages over a week ago.
Israeli officials criticize the US for pressuring Israel over the Hamas hostage deal, as the CIA says 90% of the details are finalized.
He added that it was a question of political will and he hoped leaders on both sides recognized "the time has come finally to make some hard choices and some difficult compromises."
"There is an agreement over many points," a senior Egyptian source said, adding the negotiations will be back in Cairo on Thursday.
Burns and McGurk's trip is part of a US move to "press on" to bring about a breakthrough in the hostage deal, the sources said.
Burns’s emergency meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani in Doha is “aimed at exerting maximum pressure on Israel and Hamas to continue negotiating," an official briefed on the talks.
Hamas sends delegates to Cairo for ceasefire talks amid CIA Director's visit. Egypt mediates discussions, seeking truce amid escalating tensions in Gaza.
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