CIA Director Bill Burns will visit Cairo on Thursday to discuss bilateral issues with Egyptian officials, including securing the release of hostages. On the same day, White House officials Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk will travel to Israel to address issues related to Gaza, Lebanon, hostages, Iran, and other regional concerns.
CENTCOM Commander General Erik Kurilla is also visiting the region to discuss defense matters and plans to meet Israeli counterparts and U.S. personnel. These meetings aim to reaffirm the U.S.' strong support for Israel's security, caution against further Iranian attacks, and promote regional de-escalation backed by deterrence.
The visits coincide with reports from Israeli media of significant progress in ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yedioth Ahronoth reported that talks have advanced, with the possibility of Hochstein traveling to Israel and Lebanon before the Nov. 5 U.S. elections to finalize an agreement. However, there was no confirmation from the U.S. official regarding a Lebanon visit.
Israel has intensified its air campaign in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah since September. This escalation, marked by cross-border hostilities, has resulted in over 2,700 deaths and nearly 12,500 injuries since October 2023, per Lebanese health authorities. The conflict further escalated when Israel launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.
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