In light of reports on the progress in negotiations for a hostage deal, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan addressed today (Wednesday) the talks between Israel and Hamas and presented an update on the status of the negotiations for the deal. In an interview with MSNBC, he spoke about his meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and clarified that the main remaining obstacle is Hamas's demands.
"We have been in this situation before – we expressed optimism, got close but didn't reach the finish line. So we don't want to promise anything, but we are close. If there is enough pressure from the mediators and commitment from Israel and Hamas, a deal can be achieved."
Sullivan mentioned that "I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last week, and he made it clear to me that Israel is ready to make this deal." According to him, "the last piece of the puzzle is that Hamas agrees to release hostages in the first phase of the deal. If this can be done – there will be a ceasefire and the release of the hostages."
He also said that "the parties are working on the names of the hostages to be released in the first phase, and the prisoners to be released in return. They are also discussing the deployment of IDF forces in the Strip during the ceasefire. These are significant issues, but they can be resolved. The big question is whether Hamas is ready to say yes to the deal. We have reached this point with Israel, it is ready – but the question is whether Hamas is in that place. Egypt and Qatar need to demand that Hamas say yes."
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