WASHINGTON: Negotiations in Cairo aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and reaching a hostage agreement are progressing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday. Kirby emphasized that discussions are moving forward and that working groups will soon tackle specific issues.
In a virtual briefing, Kirby dismissed concerns that the talks had stalled, describing them as “constructive.” He noted that the discussions had advanced to a stage where detailed working-group meetings are necessary to finalize the specifics.
Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden’s top Middle East aide, will soon leave Cairo after extending his stay to initiate these working-group talks. One of the critical issues on the table is the exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Key details to be resolved include the number of hostages to be exchanged, their identities, and the timeline for their release.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the conflict has not yet seen a resolution, and recent regional tensions have added pressure. Over the weekend, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel, prompting Israeli military strikes on Lebanon. However, Kirby stated that this escalation has not affected the ceasefire discussions.
Key points under negotiation include the Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. Kirby reaffirmed that progress is being made and described the talks as constructive.
Hamas official Taher Al-Nono criticized U.S. statements on the ceasefire talks, calling them “inconsistent with the truth” and accusing them of supporting Israeli positions. Hamas has denied claims of an imminent deal.
Additionally, reports indicate that Israel has expressed concerns about some Palestinian detainees Hamas wants released, demanding their exit from Gaza if freed. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,400 Palestinian deaths, with most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents facing severe displacement and shortages of food and medical supplies.
