The chiefs of the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and United Kingdom’s intelligence agency MI6 jointly called for a ceasefire in Gaza in a rare joint public statement to the press, on Saturday (Sep 7) stressing the need for de-escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore said that their agencies have “exploited our intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation,” highlighting their behind-the-scenes efforts to broker peace.
The two intelligence chiefs, in an opinion piece for the Financial Times, said a ceasefire amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war “could end the suffering and appalling loss of life of Palestinian civilians and bring home the hostages after 11 months of hellish confinement.”
Burns has been actively involved in these efforts and has travelled to Egypt in August for high-level negotiations, aimed at a ceasefire and a potential hostage deal. However, no agreement has been reached so far.
The intelligence chiefs also highlighted the ongoing global threats posed by Russia, China, and international terrorism.
Furthermore, they pointed to Russia’s “reckless campaign of sabotage” and the use of disinformation to undermine Western unity, as well as intelligence’s key role in anticipating global threats, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US President Biden hints ‘resolution is close’
US President Joe Biden has pointed out that a resolution amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is close, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports of significant progress in the negotiations.
The US and UK have expressed strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas. However, London recently suspended certain arms exports to Israel due to concerns over international law violations. The move comes after the Labour Party’s landslide victory in the recent general elections in the UK.
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Israeli strike kills 61 people
The Israeli military strikes have killed at least 61 people in 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, according to media reports citing local medics on Saturday.
An Israeli air strike on the Halima al-Sa’diyya school compound, which was being used as a shelter for displaced people in the Jabalia urban refugee camp, killed at least eight people, injuring 15 others.
Moreover, five more people were killed in a strike on a house in Gaza City.
The head of the CIA William Burns, who is also the chief US negotiator for an end to the Gaza war and release of hostages held by Hamas, has stressed that a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be made in the next few days.
Burns said he was working hard on “texts and creative formulas” with mediators in Qatar and Egypt to secure a ceasefire.
As the war continued, a Turkish-American woman was reportedly shot dead by the Israeli forces during a weekly protest against Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank.
The United Nations has since called for a “full investigation” into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)