The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/william-burns/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:55:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png William Burns | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/william-burns/ 32 32 Negotiations between Iran, US over Tehran’s nuclear program set to return to Oman https://www.timesofisrael.com/negotiations-between-iran-us-over-tehrans-nuclear-program-set-to-return-to-oman/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:45:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3534960 Experts to start work on technical details of any possible deal; US team led by Rubio aide Michael Anton, who does not have nuclear policy experience of those who led 2015 talks

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]]> CIA chief says hostage talks ‘quite serious’; White House: Deal possible by Jan. 20 https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-chief-says-hostage-talks-quite-serious-white-house-deal-possible-by-jan-20/ Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:22:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3457054 Washington optimistic on chances of closing agreement to release Israelis held by Hamas before end of Biden's term; Netanyahu huddles with security chiefs to discuss negotiations

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]]> Report: Families of several hostages receive signs of life from loved ones https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-families-of-several-hostages-receive-signs-of-life-from-loved-ones/ Sat, 21 Dec 2024 07:49:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3444079 Sides said to have agreed on list of Palestinian prisoners to be released but are in contention over whether dangerous convicts should be sent abroad or freed in West Bank

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]]> Arab diplomat says hostage talks progressing but deal still likely to be weeks away https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-diplomat-says-hostage-talks-progressing-but-deal-likely-still-weeks-away/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:52:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3443472&preview=true&preview_id=3443472 Hebrew media reports are slightly more optimistic, citing Israeli officials who speculate an agreement is possible before the year ends and credit CIA chief for recent advances

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]]> CIA head to visit Qatar as Israeli reports downplay claims that hostage deal imminent https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-head-to-visit-qatar-as-israeli-reports-downplay-claims-that-hostage-deal-imminent/ Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:52:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3441928 Bill Burns to meet with Qatari PM after delegations from Hamas, Israel held talks in Doha the previous two days; Trump envoy also expected there following his trip to Cairo

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]]> As Mossad head goes to Doha, Egypt proposes 2-day ceasefire for release of 4 hostages https://www.timesofisrael.com/mossad-head-goes-to-doha-egypt-proposes-2-day-ceasefire-for-release-of-4-hostages/ Sun, 27 Oct 2024 18:40:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3406286 While Hamas wants a comprehensive agreement that ends the war and keeps it in Gaza, Israel looks for initial deal to understand who calls shots after terror chief Sinwar killed

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]]> CIA, MI6 chiefs urge truce-hostage deal; Burns calls for ‘hard political compromises’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-mi6-chiefs-urge-truce-hostage-deal-burns-calls-for-hard-political-compromises/ Sat, 07 Sep 2024 14:15:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3370479 As new proposal being finalized, spymasters issue unprecedented joint plea for ceasefire to end Gaza civilians' 'appalling loss of life' and hostages' 'hellish confinement'

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]]> US said to believe IDF can’t make further gains against ‘diminished’ Hamas in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-to-believe-idf-cant-make-further-gains-against-diminished-hamas-in-gaza/ Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:59:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3354677 Current and former officials say military achievements have exceeded original expectations, but the only way to free the hostages remains an agreement with Hamas

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]]> Sources: PM ‘taking dangerous bet on hostages’ lives’ by toughening negotiating stance https://www.timesofisrael.com/negotiators-fear-pm-taking-harder-line-in-hostage-talks-to-cause-crisis-reports/ Fri, 26 Jul 2024 22:20:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3340866 Mossad chief, CIA head, Qatari and Egyptian officials set to meet in Rome; White House spokesman: 'Closer' then we've ever been to deal

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]]> CIA head says Hamas’s Sinwar under growing pressure to end war – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-head-says-hamass-sinwar-under-growing-pressure-to-end-war-report/ Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:43:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3332951 Burns reportedly says Gaza chief worried by increasing resentment over suffering caused by conflict, while senior commanders in group are weary of fighting

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]]> Heading to US, Gallant says meetings ‘critical for the future of the war’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/gallant-heads-to-us-in-bid-to-unfreeze-arms-shipment-gaza-lebanon-iran-on-agenda/ Sun, 23 Jun 2024 02:33:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3316890 Defense minister joined by deputy IDF chief in packed visit dealing with multiple fronts, amid spat sparked by Netanyahu's open criticism of White House weapons holdup

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]]> CIA chief returns to region to push hostage deal as Israel vows not to budge further https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-chief-returns-to-region-to-push-hostage-deal-as-israel-vows-not-to-budge-further/ Tue, 04 Jun 2024 22:42:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3305304 Hamas demands proposal make clear that deal will lead to end of war; US says 'we just need to get a ceasefire' and that terror group's postwar role in Gaza can be ironed out later

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]]> CIA head to meet Mossad chief and Qatari PM in Paris, aiming to revive hostage talks https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-head-to-meet-mossad-chief-and-qatari-pm-in-europe-aiming-to-revive-hostage-talks/ Fri, 24 May 2024 00:32:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3297081&preview=true&preview_id=3297081 High-level meeting will be first since negotiations fell apart two weeks ago; unclear if Egyptian intel chief will also attend, though Cairo will remain involved in mediation

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]]> Qatar briefly kicked out Hamas leaders as hostage talks stalled in April — officials https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatar-briefly-kicked-out-hamas-leaders-as-hostage-talks-stalled-in-april-officials/ Fri, 17 May 2024 17:02:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3291700 Terror group's reps moved to Turkey but were allowed back weeks later as talks gathered steam, though they again collapsed after Egypt gave sides different offers, officials say

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]]> Visiting CIA chief said to tell Netanyahu he still sees chance for deal with Hamas https://www.timesofisrael.com/visiting-cia-chief-said-to-tell-netanyahu-he-still-sees-chance-for-deal-with-hamas/ Thu, 09 May 2024 01:39:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3285775 Report says Israeli leaders responded that Hamas's hostages-for-truce proposal 'crosses all red lines'; senior member of terror group clarifies Hamas won't budge from its terms

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