Fate of Gaza ceasefire deal in Hamas leader's hands, US intel official says

A view of Gaza during sunset, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, near the Israel-Gaza border
FILE PHOTO: A view of Gaza during sunset, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo
Source: REUTERS

Fate of Gaza ceasefire deal in Hamas leader's hands, US intel official says

The fate of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is "largely a question that is going to be answered" by the leader of the Palestinian militant group, Deputy CIA Director David Cohen said on Wednesday.

Cohen did not refer to Hamas' leader, Yahya Sinwar, by name. The Israelis were showing seriousness in the negotiations, Cohen told an intelligence and national security summit in Washington.

Mediators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been working to strike a deal between the sides and prevent a broader regional war.

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On those efforts, Cohen said: "There may be episodes where people would step back from the brink, but I don't think anybody can be confident that that effort to control escalation is something that ... any party in that region" can control.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.