US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar Officials Engage in Gaza Talks in Paris, Say Sources

US, Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials convened in Paris for Gaza ceasefire negotiations, with French involvement aimed at mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict.

CIA Director William Burns and senior officials from the involved countries are striving to halt the fighting. Discussions also focus on the potential exchange of Hamas-held Israeli hostages for a ceasefire.

Burns' trip, confirmed by the White House and reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times, seeks an agreement anticipated to pause hostilities for around two months in exchange for hostage release.

While White House communications emphasized slow progress, Qatar's significant role, demonstrated in a November deal, brings hope to the negotiations.

The conflict, initiated by a Hamas attack on October 7, has resulted in over 1,140 civilian deaths and the capture of around 250 hostages, with 132 still detained, including deceased individuals. Conversely, Israeli military actions have led to at least 26,422 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians.