White House says captives deal 'closer than we've ever been'
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While the National Security Council Spokesperson said a deal is near, he insisted that "nothing is done until it is all done."
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US President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office at the White House on October 19, 2023. (AP)
US President Joe Biden told reporters Monday he believes a deal with the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza is close.
"I believe so" were the US President's words when questioned on the matter.
Meanwhile, the White House said the negotiations were in the "endgame" stage, but refused to give further details, saying it could jeopardize a successful outcome.
"We believe we're closer than we've ever been, so we're hopeful," National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
"But there's still work to be done. And nothing is done until it's all done. So we're going to keep working on this."
Kirby added that arrangements were still being made on all sides.
"When you hit go, you're counting on everybody to meet their commitments. And that's what we're doing," he said.
Despite the ongoing war on Gaza, "Israel's" ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, told ABC News on Sunday that Israeli officials were hopeful Hamas will free a major number of captives "in the coming days."
Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, revealed, on Sunday, that a deal to free Israeli captives is facing "minor" practical issues. "The challenges that remain in the negotiations are very minor compared to the bigger challenges, they are more logistical, they are more practical," Al Thani told a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Qatar has played a role in mediating talks to free some of the Israeli captives, approximately 240 in total. The efforts have resulted in the release of four captives so far.
By overwhelming margins, young voters are telling us that the U.S.’ unconditional support of Netanyahu’s war crimes is policy they DO NOT support.@POTUS must use all diplomatic tools to facilitate a #CeasefireNOW, the release of all hostages, and an end to the siege on Gaza. https://t.co/kUHJtWb264
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) November 20, 2023
In a related context, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, "Israel" must do "everything it can" to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those besieged in the Gaza Strip.
Likewise, Congresswoman Cori Bush highlighted the opposition to the unconditional US support for "Israel's" war crimes.
She posted on X: "By overwhelming margins, young voters are telling us that the U.S.’ unconditional support of Netanyahu’s war crimes is policy they DO NOT support. @POTUS."
She also called for a ceasefire, releasing all captives, and ending the siege on Gaza.
By overwhelming margins, young voters are telling us that the U.S.’ unconditional support of Netanyahu’s war crimes is policy they DO NOT support.@POTUS must use all diplomatic tools to facilitate a #CeasefireNOW, the release of all hostages, and an end to the siege on Gaza. https://t.co/kUHJtWb264
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) November 20, 2023
On Sunday, Jonathan Finer, Biden's Deputy National Security Advisor, told CNN's Jake Tapper that Qatar's efforts at mediating a release agreement were "extremely close", adding that the US has been following the situation "minute by minute, hour by hour, up to the level of the President."
Speaking on behalf of the administration, he pledged the US would upkeep its efforts to "get these people home" particularly considering the "dangerous situation in Gaza."
He failed to mention that the dangerous situation in Gaza is essentially the result of the relentless attacks initiated by the Israeli occupation, which has blatantly disregarded its own people's lives.
