The heads of the CIA and MI6 issued a rare joint public statement calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, urging restraint and de-escalation amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the Associated Press (AP).
CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore, writing in the Financial Times, said their agencies have been using intelligence channels to push for an end to the violence and the release of hostages. They emphasised that a cease-fire could help alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians and bring hostages home after months of captivity.
Burns, who has played a central role in efforts to broker a peace deal, recently travelled to Egypt for high-level talks aimed at reaching a temporary halt to the fighting. While no agreement has been reached, U.S. officials suggest a deal is near. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports of an imminent breakthrough.
The U.S. and the UK, both key allies of Israel, have approached the conflict differently in recent days. The UK has suspended some arms exports to Israel, expressing concerns over potential violations of international law, while the U.S. continues to support Israel diplomatically.
Burns and Moore also highlighted broader global threats, including Russia’s aggressive actions and China’s growing power, noting that intelligence-sharing between the U.S. and UK remains crucial. They pointed to Russia’s use of disinformation and cyber sabotage as ongoing risks to Western stability.
Their joint statement stressed the importance of staying committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, citing how intelligence predictions of the invasion helped rally international defense efforts. The conflict, they noted, has underscored how technology and traditional warfare are rapidly transforming the dynamics of modern conflict.
(With inputs from Associated Press)