White House working to finalise Israel-Hamas hostage deal before Trump's inauguration: CIA
FirstpostTrump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was briefed about the progress made in the Israel-Hamas mediation talks by Qatar which has been brokering the deal alongside Egypt and the United States Einav Zangauker, center, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker takes part in a protest following a Hamas video release of Matan making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 7, 2024. AP Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns on Saturday said that the White House is working at ways to reach a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas before US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. President-elect Trump has made clear his interest in trying to get a deal, you know, before his inauguration.” Qatar briefs Trump admin Meanwhile, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was briefed about the progress made in the Israel-Hamas mediation talks by Qatar which has been brokering the deal alongside Egypt and the United States. The Qatari foreign ministry said that during his meeting with Witkoff, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discussed “the latest developments in the region, especially the efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.” ‘Some progress made’ Earlier this week, US and Arab mediators made some progress in their efforts to reach a ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but not enough to seal a deal.