EXPERT INTERVIEWS— Within the last-gasp negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire underway in Cairo, the negotiating groups replicate the excessive stakes of the second. CIA Director William J. Burns is there with White Home Center East Coordinator Brett McGurk; the Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are on the talks, representing nations with ties to each Israel and Hamas; the Israeli crew is led by the heads of the Mossad and Shin Wager safety providers, David Barnea and Ronan Bar; and a Hamas delegation is led by senior chief Khalil al-Hayya.
“Final-gasp” displays the view of diplomats from all sides who’ve been working for months on a fancy ceasefire-for-hostages. Final week, in his ninth go to to the area because the conflict started, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned these talks might characterize “the final alternative” for a peace settlement.
