El Sisi, Burns talk Gaza: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and CIA Director William Burns discussed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza during Burns visit to Cairo yesterday, according to an Ittihadiya statement. El Sisi also highlighted the importance of granting “unfettered access” for relief to Gaza and enforcing the two-state solution.

Another top US official is also Cairo-bound: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf is set to visit Egypt over the coming few days as part of a wider trip that will see her visit the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, and Italy between 8-14 July, according to a statement from the US Department of State. Leaf will meet with government officials to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and ensure the entry of aid into Gaza.

Egyptian officials are also heading to Qatar for Gaza talks: Intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, CIA Director Willian Burns, and an Israeli delegation will land in Doha today “on a mission to bring viewpoints closer between Hamas and Israel in order to reach a truce agreement as soon as possible," Al Qahera News reports, citing an unnamed high-level source.

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