Recent developments indicate a growing sense of optimism among American officials regarding a potential deal for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a cease-fire. However, challenges in communication between Hamas officials in Qatar and the group’s leaders in Gaza have delayed the confirmation of a breakthrough. It is expected to take a few more days to ascertain the outcome of the negotiations.
Previous instances of hope for an agreement were thwarted by actions from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has cautiously acknowledged the progress made while emphasizing that several details still require resolution to finalize the deal.
“There’s still miles to go before we close if we are able to close,” Mr. Sullivan stated, urging all parties involved to demonstrate the necessary commitment to reach a resolution.
President Biden has also expressed guarded optimism, indicating that while there are still gaps to bridge, there has been positive momentum in the negotiations. He reiterated his determination to conclude the deal and bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
In a strategic move, Mr. Biden sent his top Middle East affairs aide, Brett McGurk, to Israel for discussions with the Israeli government. Concurrently, C.I.A. director William J. Burns engaged in talks in Doha, Qatar, with Egyptian, Qatari, and Israeli officials involved in the negotiations for the hostages’ release.
Further discussions were held in Cairo, where Mr. McGurk led the American delegation in outlining a three-phase deal supported by the United States and the United Nations. Following meetings with the Israeli negotiating team, Mr. Netanyahu dispatched a delegation led by the head of Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service to Cairo for continued deliberations.
