Gaza captive deal may be reached before Trump inauguration, US says
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The White House reveals that a captive deal could take shape in Gaza by next weekend as the upcoming Trump administration looms on the horizon.
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Police scuffle with demonstrators who block a road during a protest demanding a cease-fire deal and the immediate release of captives held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 (AP)
The sides involved in negotiations over the release of captives in the Gaza Strip are nearing an agreement, with the possibility of a breakthrough before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Speaking to CNN, Sullivan said that progress was made but acknowledged that the agreement is not finalized. "We are very, very close," Sullivan stated while cautioning that "the finish line has not been crossed yet."
Sullivan claimed that Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East, has been in Doha for a week working on the final details of the agreement. "We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done," he added.
President Joe Biden receives daily updates on the situation and is expected to hold discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon, Sullivan noted. "And we are not by any stretch of the imagination setting this aside. There is a possibility this comes together," he said.
Progress on talks
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported Friday evening that Qatar had sent a highly positive message to the Israeli occupation regarding Hamas' intention to advance in negotiations.
According to the report, the message focused on the list of Israeli captives who have remained alive in Gaza. Following this communication, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent phone meeting with a select group of ministers and negotiation team members.
US officials involved in the prisoner exchange negotiations told Kan, "The essence of the discussions revolves around transitioning from the first phase to the second phase, with an understanding of the need to link both phases to achieve the deal."
Meanwhile, Channel 12 cited sources expressing optimism within the Israeli security and military establishment about the possibility of reaching a prisoner exchange agreement.
A survey published Friday by the Israeli newspaper Maariv revealed that 88% of respondents support a deal to bring back captives held in Gaza. Of those, 52% favor a comprehensive exchange deal, while 36% back a partial deal.
