Towing the line between diplomat and intelligence agent, Burns's trips to the region are shrouded under a cloak of mystery.

While the United States tries to spy on one of the hardest targets, Burns has also tried to reopen a dialogue with Beijing, including via his counterpart, Chen Yixin, the security minister. (The head of the China Mission Center, a career CIA officer fluent in Mandarin, accompanied Burns on one of his trips to Beijing.)

As C.I.A. director, William J. Burns was deeply focused on China and Russia when the Middle East conflict plunged him back into his old life.

Their dealmaking cooperation represents an unusual moment in the polarized world of U.S. politics. But it did not stop both Trump and Biden from touting their respective roles.

IDF announces four soldiers killed in northern Gaza • Hamas says Netanyahu has agreed to end the war •Hostage negotiations may conclude before Trump's inauguration | Page 2 of 2

After prolonged negotiations mediated by representatives from both the Biden and Trump administrations, a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hamas. The truce involves the release of hostages by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners by Israel,

Ceasefire suspends 15-month-old war Gaza residents return to devastated neighborhoods, assess damage Hamas and Israel exchange hostages and prisoners amid truce GAZA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Jan 19 ...

Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment discusses whether or not the ceasefire will lead to a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas as well as the role Trump and Biden played in negotiations.

The terrorist group Hamas released three hostages from Gaza hours after a cease-fire deal with Israel took effect after a brief delay Sunday. Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Demari, 27, and Doron ...

Hamas has sent the first three hostages back to Israel as part of the ceasefire deal that both sides hope will end the nearly 15-month conflict. Newsweek reached out to the White House and Trump ...

The first three hostages released from Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday have arrived in Israel, the military ...

CAIRO/TEL AVIV, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Hamas said on Monday it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, after an official with the Palestinian militant group had said they would be ...