Documentation of the attack on the Hamas underground rocket production site, January 27, 2023 (IDF spokesperson)
The head of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, the CIA, Bill Burns arrived yesterday (Thursday) for a visit to Israel.
He is expected to meet his counterparts in Israel and the Palestinian Authority and the leaders on both sides, according to two American sources who comment on the matter.
came to visit
Burns (Photo: Reuters)
why is it important:
Burns' visit was planned in advance, but it is taking place during the most serious escalation between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for many months.
The visit was supposed to focus on the Iranian nuclear, the military cooperation between Iran and Russia and the Iranian subversive activities in the region, but the events on the ground will most likely affect its contents.
More in Walla!
Rockets on Ashkelon and the surrounding area: the IDF attacked an underground site of Hamas
To the full article
Behind the Scenes:
The CIA maintains close ties with Palestinian intelligence and remains the only channel of communication between the parties even during the term of President Donald Trump when relations between the United States and the Palestinian Authority were frozen.
The CIA plays a central role in supporting the security and intelligence coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, alongside American security coordinator General Mike Fenzel.
Burns' visit to Israel was part of a wider tour of the Middle East.
On Monday he visited Cairo and met President Al-Sisi and discussed with him the situation in the region and the intelligence cooperation between the countries, according to a statement from the Egyptian President's office.
What they say:
A CIA spokeswoman declined to comment on the news.
In the news center:
Yesterday morning, during a raid by IDF forces in the Jenin refugee camp, a shootout broke out in which at least nine Palestinians were killed. Most of the dead were armed, but at least one uninvolved woman was killed. Another 20 Palestinians were injured, some uninvolved.
As part of the subsequent escalation, rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards the settlements of the Western Negev.
The rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome or landed in open areas.
In response, the Air Force attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
The big picture:
The Palestinian Authority responded by suspending security coordination with Israel.
This move could further exacerbate the escalation in the West Bank.
The American administration expressed opposition to the Palestinian decision.
The last time the Palestinians suspended security coordination with Israel was in May 2020 following the government's plan to promote the annexation of parts of the West Bank.
The security coordination was resumed months later after the plan was removed from the agenda following the Abraham Accords.
However, the suspension of security coordination then had a very negative effect on the situation in the West Bank.
What next:
American Secretary of State Lincoln is expected to arrive in the region during the weekend.
On Monday and Tuesday he will visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said tonight that the Biden administration is very concerned about the cycle of violence in the West Bank and called on all parties to curb the escalation.
"We call on all parties to work together to improve the security situation in the West Bank. Palestinians and Israelis are equally entitled to live in peace and security," Price said.
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