The killing of six Hamas hostages, whose bodies were recovered by Israeli troops over the weekend, underscores the urgency of a ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip and the release of remaining prisoners, the White House said Tuesday (3).
“Clearly what happened over the weekend underscores how important it is to do this as quickly as possible,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding that Hamas was responsible for the hostage deaths.
The United States and its allies have been pushing for a deal that would at least temporarily halt the conflict in Gaza in exchange for the release of sick, elderly and injured hostages.
However, an understanding between the parties to the conflict seems distant.
U.S. officials have been working on what some sources have called a final proposal, but Kirby was quick to say the United States would not be pushing for a “take it or leave it” approach.
“We are working on a proposal that will secure the release of the remaining hostages and will include massive and immediate relief for the people of Gaza and will also result in a halt to the fighting,” he stressed.
He commented that he does not have a deadline for when the proposal will be formally presented.
“We are still in constant consultation with Qatar, Egypt and Israel, and of course Qatar and Egypt are in contact with Hamas, and we will do what we can to do that,” Kirby said.
President Joe Biden said Monday (2) that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to do more to reach a ceasefire agreement.
This content was originally published in Hostage deaths highlight urgency of ceasefire negotiations, says White House on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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