CIA, MI6 Exploring Intelligence Channels To Push Ceasefire Deal In Gaza

London: The heads of the American and British foreign intelligence agencies said Saturday they are “working ceaselessly” for a cease-fire in Gaza, using a rare joint public statement to press for peace.

CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore said their agencies had “exploited our intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation.”

In an opinion piece for a UK English daily, the two spymasters 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 has been heavily involved in efforts to broker an end to the fighting, traveling to Egypt in August for high-level talks aimed at bringing about a hostage deal and at least a temporary halt to the conflict.

Israel Says Reports of Breakthrough In Ceasefire Deal "Inaccurate"

So far there has been no agreement, though United States officials insist a deal is close. U.S. President Joe Biden said recently that “just a couple more issues” remain unresolved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , however, has said reports of a breakthrough are “exactly inaccurate." The U.S. and the United Kingdom are both staunch allies of Israel, though London diverged from Washington on Monday by suspending some arms exports to Israel because of the risk they could be used to break international law.

Burns and Moore also emphasized the strength of the trans-Atlantic alliance amid an "unprecedented array of threats," including a more assertive Russia, a growingly powerful China, and the persistent danger of international terrorism—further complicated by rapid technological advancements.

They pointed out Russia's “reckless campaign of sabotage” throughout Europe and its “cynical use of technology” to disseminate false information and create divisions among allies. US officials have long accused Moscow of interfering in American elections. This week, the Biden administration took action by seizing Kremlin-controlled websites and charging employees of the Russian broadcaster RT with secretly financing social media campaigns to promote pro-Kremlin narratives and disrupt the upcoming presidential election in November.

The article is the first joint opinion piece by the heads of the two spy agencies. 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.

Two and a half years into a war with no quick end in sight, the spy chiefs said “staying the course” in supporting Ukraine remained vital.

They said the conflict has brought an unprecedented mix of conventional weaponry, fast-evolving technology in the form of drones and satellites, cyber-warfare and information operations “at incredible pace and scale.” 

“This conflict has demonstrated that technology, deployed alongside extraordinary bravery and traditional weaponry, can alter the course of war,” they said, praising “Ukraine's resilience, innovation and elan.” 

(With inputs from agencies)