Key Points
- Negotiators from the US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel are reportedly fleshing out the details of a possible hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
- White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the deal is still under negotiation.
- Egyptian security sources said there would be more talks this week in Doha.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that negotiators for the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Israel “came to an understanding” on the basic contours of a hostage deal during talks in Paris.
‘We’ll do it anyway’
“It has to be done because total victory is our goal and total victory is within reach – not months away, weeks away, once we begin the operation.”
Deal still under negotiation
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN negotiators ‘came to an understanding’ on the basics of a hostage deal during talks in Paris, but noted the deal is still under negotiation. Source: Getty / Anna Moneymaker
The deal is still under negotiation, said Sullivan, who added there will have to be indirect discussions by Qatar and Egypt with Hamas.
“They’re in another planet. But if they come down to a reasonable situation, then yes we’ll have a hostage deal. I hope so,” he said.
“Netanyahu’s comments show he is not concerned about reaching an agreement,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters, accusing the Israeli leader of wanting “to pursue negotiation under bombardment and the bloodshed (of Palestinians)”.
Almost 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, Gaza medical officials say. The Hamas raid of 7 October killed 1,200 people in Israel, which has also lost 241 soldiers in Gaza ground fighting that followed, according to official tallies.