CIA Director William Burns has awarded the head of the Qatari State Security Agency, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, the George Tenet Medal for his work on strengthening intelligence cooperation between the US and Qatar.

The ceremony took place amid diplomatic efforts by the US and Qatar to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Burns and Al-Khulaifi are reportedly playing key roles in these efforts.

One of the main reasons for the award is Qatar's "efforts to release the [Israeli] hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, sources told the American Axios website. The source said Burns gave the award to his Qatari counterpart in "appreciation of his role in maintaining national and regional security, and the exceptional support he provided to the CIA in preserving the interests and security of the US and Qatar."

Another main reason for the award was "the cooperation between the CIA and Qatari intelligence in counterterrorism and the ability of the Qatari State Security Agency to prevent and foil threats and attacks in the Middle East, the sources added.