US, Israel, Egypt, Qatar officials hold Gaza talks in Paris: Sources

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In Paris, high-profile officials, including the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency, convened on Sunday to work towards a ceasefire in Gaza. The delegation comprised top representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Israel. Simultaneously, French authorities engaged with these nations to facilitate negotiations for a halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the besieged region.

A security source indicated that CIA chief William Burns would meet counterparts from Israel and Egypt, along with Qatar's prime minister, in the coming days. This aligns with earlier reports, including one from The Washington Post, suggesting President Joe Biden's directive for Burns to negotiate the release of remaining Hamas-held Israeli hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.

According to The New York Times, negotiators, led by the United States, were making progress toward an agreement where Israel would suspend its military operations in Gaza for approximately two months in exchange for the release of over 100 hostages. A draft agreement was reportedly under consideration during the Paris talks on Sunday.

President Biden had discussions with Qatar's emir on Friday to address efforts to secure the release of hostages. However, the White House cautioned against anticipating imminent developments.

Qatar, instrumental in brokering a hostage release deal in November, played a pivotal role in the ongoing negotiations. The talks are a response to the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Israel reported that approximately 132 hostages, including the bodies of 28 deceased captives, remained in Gaza.

Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza has led to significant casualties, with at least 26,422 people reported dead, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts focused on achieving a ceasefire and resolving the hostage crisis in the conflict-stricken region.

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