Talks on new Israel-Gaza hostage deal constructive, says White House
Photo: White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby (GettyImages)
Negotiations on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip were constructive, thus, the United States sees the basis for a new agreement, says the official representative of the National Security Council, John Kirby.
"I don’t think we have a deal that’s imminently about to happen or that we can announce, but I do think we’ve made some progress," he said.
According to him, the USA still believes that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the coexistence of two states gives the best prospects for the future.
Kirby said Washington was pleased that the UN agency for Palestine refugees appeared to be taking seriously allegations that its staff were involved in the October 7 massacre in Israel.
Israel's war with Hamas
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a military attack on the territory of Israel from the Gaza Strip. In the first few days, radical Islamists killed 1,200 civilians and soldiers and kidnapped about 250 people.
In late October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the goal of the operation as the destruction of Hamas' operational and governmental capabilities, as well as the release of hostages.
On January 22, the Israel Defense Forces launched a new major offensive on the western part of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation is accompanied by large-scale combat operations.
On January 24, Israel and Hamas reached a tentative agreement for a month-long ceasefire and a new deal for the release of hostages.
