US, Israel to join new talks for short-term Gaza cease-fire
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. U.S., Arab and Israeli officials are planning to meet this weekend in Qatar to renew talks over a cease-fire in the war in Gaza, with mediators proposing a short-term pause in fighting that could build toward a permanent agreement. Negotiators are skeptical of a breakthrough in the talks, which are scheduled for Sunday in Doha.
The region is bracing for Israel’s potential response to an Iranian ballistic-missile assault on Israeli territory earlier this month, amid concerns that it could spark a wider war, though the timing of any Israeli action remains unclear. Still, Arab mediators believe the proposal put forward by Egypt for a short-term pause could open a window to a comprehensive deal, after weeks of deadlock. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns is scheduled to meet with the spy chiefs from Israel and Egypt, according to Arab mediators involved in the effort.
Egyptian and Qatari officials are also expected to meet with Hamas, whose fighters are continuing to battle Israeli forces in Gaza and whose political leadership is based in Doha. The renewed diplomatic push comes after a week of meetings between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli and Arab officials. Blinken rushed to the Middle East following the killing of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was viewed by the U.S.
as the main obstacle to a cease-fire. Blinken then met Friday in London with, among others, the caretaker prime minister in Lebanon. Israel is fighting Iranian allies on multiple fronts, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
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