MORE THAN 100 DAYS INTO THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, AND PRESSURE ON BOTH PARTIES TO AGREE TO A CEASE-FIRE FROM WORLD LEADERS IS MOUNTING.
REPORTS SAY C-I-A DIRECTOR WILLIAM BURNS IS SOON EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO FRANCE TO MEET WITH ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS ALONG WITH QATARI AND EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS IN AN ATTEMPT TO BROKER A DEAL FOR THE RELEASE OF THE MORE THAN 100 HOSTAGES STILL BEING HELD BY HAMAS IN GAZA.
AMONG THEM ARE SAID TO BE SIX MALE AMERICANS.
BURNS’ TRIP WILL MARK HIS FOURTH ROUND OF SUCH NEGOTIATIONS AS HE HAS TRAVELED TO QATAR TWICE IN NOVEMBER AND POLAND ONCE IN DECEMBER.
PREVIOUS NEGOTIATIONS HAVE FALLEN SHORT — WITH HAMAS ADAMANT THAT THE HOSTAGES WILL ONLY BE RELEASED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN END TO THE WAR.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU REJECTING THE TERMS — RECENTLY SAYING QUOTE “I AM NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT SUCH A MORTAL BLOW TO THE SECURITY OF ISRAEL.”