John Kirby
The White House remains confident that the ceasefire can still be implemented on Sunday.
The Biden administration accused Hamas of “throwing up obstacles.”
“This is about preventing them from hitting commercial and, quite frankly, naval ship activity in and around the Red Sea” and protecting Israel, John Kirby told reporters.
“As we gather here tonight, extensive efforts are being made to bring about a new hostage deal,” said Michael Herzog, the Israeli envoy in Washington.
The captives remain “a top priority of President Biden,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
The intelligence leak may be an attempt to disrupt Jerusalem’s plans to retaliate against the Islamic Republic.
“The letter was not meant as a threat,” said John Kirby, the White House national security communications advisor. “We have to follow the law of the land here.”
The Israeli premier reportedly made the remark to lawmakers during a closed meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
“We still believe that there is a diplomatic path forward, particularly up near Lebanon,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
“We want to get this ceasefire deal as soon as possible,” White House advisor John Kirby told reporters. “We haven’t taken our foot off the gas.”
The U.S. National Security Council spokesman added, “Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.”
If Hamas cares about suffering Gazans, they must “prove” it by showing up at planned ceasefire talks on Thursday, per the White House national security communications advisor.
