8 months ago
134
The heads of the CIA and
MI6
have in a rare public statement jointly called for a ceasefire in
Gaza
, emphasizing the need for de-escalation in the ongoing
Israel-Hamas conflict
. CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore stated that their agencies have “exploited our intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation,” highlighting their behind-the-scenes efforts to broker peace.
The two spymasters in an opinion piece for the Financial Times said, a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war “could end the suffering and appalling loss of life of Palestinian civilians and bring home the hostages after 11 months of hellish confinement.”
Burns, who has played a key role in these efforts, traveled to Egypt in August for high-level negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and a potential hostage deal, though no agreement has been reached yet.
US President Joe Biden has indicated that a resolution is close, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports of significant progress.
While the US and UK remain strong allies of Israel, London has taken a different stance by suspending certain arms exports to Israel due to concerns over international law violations.
The intelligence chiefs also used the platform to highlight the ongoing global threats posed by Russia, China, and international terrorism. They pointed to Russia’s “reckless campaign of sabotage” and the use of disinformation to undermine Western unity, as well as the pivotal role of intelligence in anticipating global threats such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two directors pointed to a new era of openness in their secretive field, noting that the CIA and MI6 both declassified intelligence about Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine before Moscow attacked its neighbor in February 2022.
“We saw it coming, and were able to warn the international community so we could all rally to Ukraine’s defense,” they said.
Burns and Moore praised Ukraine’s resilience in the ongoing war and said that advanced technology, alongside conventional weapons and bravery, has significantly influenced the conflict's course. They called for continued support for Ukraine as the war, now over two years long, shows no signs of ending soon.
English (US)