Ongoing Negotiations for Release of Gaza Hostages and Missing Americans, says White House Adviser
The United States, along with Israel and Qatar, is actively engaged in ongoing negotiations to secure the release of hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, made this announcement during an interview on ABC’s This Week on Sunday.
While the precise number of hostages is still unknown, Sullivan confirmed that there are nine missing American citizens, as well as a missing legal permanent resident. The United States is committed to ensuring the safe return of these individuals, and Sullivan stated that he would personally meet with the families of the American hostages in the coming week.
Regarding Hamas’ claim that a number of hostages were killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes, Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. does not take anything Hamas says at face value. However, there is currently no information to either support or refute this claim. Sullivan highlighted the difficulty of determining the hostages’ status, as their overall number and condition are still uncertain.
Israel has stated that around 1,200 individuals were killed in the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, revising the earlier estimate of approximately 1,400 fatalities.
During a separate interview on This Week, Representatives Mike Lawler and Jared Moskowitz discussed their trip to Israel, where they met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They emphasized the need for Congress to pass aid to Israel and reiterated the United States’ commitment to its closest ally in the region.
Lawler and Moskowitz also addressed the ongoing efforts to locate the captives in Gaza. While there are not many viable options available, they confirmed that various plans are being developed to locate the hostages.
When asked about the targeting of medical facilities in Gaza, specifically the Al-Shifa hospital, which is alleged to have underground tunnels used by Hamas, Sullivan stated that the United States does not want to see any conflicts arising at hospitals. However, he stressed that Hamas has a history of using civilian areas for military purposes, which is a violation of the laws of war. Sullivan emphasized the importance of not putting innocent and helpless people at risk during the ongoing military operation.
Israeli military officials have repeatedly stated that they do not target hospitals and have taken steps to facilitate the evacuation of patients from Al-Shifa.
Over 11,000 people have been reported killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after a trip to the region, expressed concern about the high death toll and emphasized the need to prevent harm to civilians. Sullivan reiterated that the loss of innocent lives is a tragedy, regardless of nationality, and highlighted the United States’ belief in the sanctity of life.
While Lawler supported Israel’s military operations against Hamas and emphasized the need for humanitarian relief, he also acknowledged the difficulty of achieving a cease-fire due to Hamas’ refusal to abide by one. He described Hamas as being determined to eradicate the state of Israel.
Looking ahead, Sullivan emphasized the importance of working with all stakeholders, including Israel, Arab countries, and the Palestinians, to ensure their voices are heard in determining the future governance of both the West Bank and Gaza.
The ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza and the search for missing Americans remain a top priority for the United States, as it works alongside its partners to bring an end to the current situation and promote peace and stability in the region.
