CIA chief said to propose Hamas free 8 hostages as part of 28-day Gaza ceasefire

CIA director William Burns speaks during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, March 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
CIA director William Burns speaks during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, March 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

CIA Director Bill Burns floated a deal for a 28-day Gaza ceasefire, the freeing of around eight hostages by Hamas and the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, Axios reports citing three Israeli officials.

Burns discussed the idea during a meeting on Sunday with Israeli and Qatari counterparts, Axios says, adding that Hamas would free “roughly 8 women of all ages or men over the age of 50” as part of the deal.

“Israel agrees to a temporary pause, but Hamas wants a pause that would open a process that would lead to irreversible Israeli steps. If neither sides softens its position there isn’t going to be a deal,” a senior Israeli official tells the news site.

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