New Attempt to Reach Agreement on Ceasefire and Hostage Release

Negotiations are expected this weekend in Cairo between the United States and Israel, where a new attempt will be made to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Ahead of the talks, U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, urging them to increase pressure on Hamas to "reach an agreement and honor that agreement," a senior administration official told AFP.

The White House has confirmed that the negotiations will take place this weekend in Cairo, but has not commented on U.S. media reports that CIA Director Bill Burns, as well as Israel's intelligence chief David Barnea and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, will participate alongside Abbas Kamel, the head of Egyptian intelligence.