The White House on Thursday said that talks led by President Joe Biden’s envoy to secure the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are “going well.”
“Our initial indications from Brett (McGurk) are that the discussions are going well,” said White House spokesperson John Kirby. He added that the envoy visited Cairo on Wednesday and was in Israel on Thursday for meetings with the government as well as with families of American hostages.
Kirby said the talks are focused on “a long-term ceasefire in order to secure the release of all hostages” and “getting more humanitarian assistance” into the Gaza Strip.
Faced with mounting casualties, new discussions have begun on a plan drafted by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt. The first phase of the plan calls for a six-week truce during which hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, and large amounts of humanitarian aid would be delivered to Gaza.
Israel says that 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 30 of whom have been killed, out of a total of about 250 people kidnapped during the October 7 attack.
