Kirby came as Israel reported a deal with Hamas that the Americans in Gaza would be released on Sunday.
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said Thursday morning that he was “confident” that a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal would be “implemented” on Sunday as the families of two Americans awaiting immediate release.
“There is a consensus,” Kirby told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “We are confident that we will be able to implement it on Sunday. There are still some implementation details that need to be ironed out. We are working with the Israelis on that now.”
But we are confident that we will get there.
From left, American hostages in Gaza are: Aidan Alexander, Sagi Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel, Omer Nutra, Judy Weinstein Hagai, Gadi Hagai and Itai Chen. (Fox News)
An Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance because a key vote has been delayed
The United States and Qatar confirmed on Wednesday that a deal had been successfully concluded, sparking confusion after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a “last-minute crisis is brewing that will prevent a settlement.”
“Hamas is backing away from clear understandings agreed with mediators and Israel in a last-minute hostile attempt with its mediators and Israel,” according to a statement carried by Israeli news agency TPS-IL.
Hamas It is reported that he refused Allegations of the Israeli government.
Netanyahu postponed a cabinet hearing to vote on the deal until Thursday morning “until the negotiators declare that Hamas approves all details of the deal.”
But Kirby seemed determined to make it clear the deal was not broken, telling MSNBC that “it’s not falling apart.”
He also told NBC, “We are aware of these issues that the prime minister has raised… We are confident that we will be able to resolve these last-minute issues and move forward.”
In the year Photos of loved ones captured by Hamas during a press conference for Israel Democracy Defense UK at the Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London on October 12, 2023. (Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)
Israel’s Netanyahu delays Gaza ceasefire vote, accuses Hamas of trying to pull out of deal
In the first part of the agreement, 33 hostages were released. The first phase will last 42 days and hostages will be released gradually, including three prisoners who will be released on the first day of the deal.
Some reports suggest that three Israeli female soldiers may be released on the first day of the deal.
However, a senior administration official told Fox News and other reporters on Wednesday that two of the three Americans in Gaza would be released on the first day.
We’ll see — and I don’t want to say until we actually see them — but Keith Siegel and Sagi Dekel-Chen will be out on the first day, and there’s no doubt that Aidan will be out of Gaza. he said.
Aidan Alexander is a 21-year-old American-Israeli who served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on October 7, 2023, although soldiers are not said to be discharged until the second phase, which begins. Cease fire on the 43rd day.
Israeli hostages marching to Jerusalem carrying pictures of their relatives held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
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The remaining hostages, living and dead, will begin negotiations on the 16th.
At least 98 hostages continue to be held in Gaza, of which 94 were taken in 2011. It is October 7, 2023. Of them, 62 are believed to be alive and 36 are presumed dead.
“We are determined to find all the Americans. These are American-Israeli citizens, they have all left Gaza,” the official said. “This is our commitment whether we live or stay.”
