Egyptian security sources confirmed that the Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, arrived in Cairo to attend meetings concerning the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Israeli media reported that the Israeli government opposed Burns' visit to Cairo prior to Hamas' response to the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, is making concerted efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas to achieve a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages held in Gaza. Mediators are awaiting Hamas' response to the latest version of a proposal for an agreement that includes a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in the territory.
Moreover, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Israel has informed Hamas that it has one week to agree to a hostage deal, or else it will commence its military operation in Rafah.
