White House Optimistic About Cease-fire and Hostage Exchange Deal Amid Conflicts

On Thursday morning, John Kirby, the White House national security communications adviser, expressed his optimism regarding the implementation of a cease-fire and a hostage exchange that is set to take place on Sunday. He communicated this assurance during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC, stating, "There's a deal," while acknowledging that there are still some details that need to be finalized in collaboration with Israeli officials.

The situation became tense when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hamas was intentionally creating hindrances to derail the agreement. He accused Hamas of attempting to blackmail the mediators and Israel by backtracking on the previously established terms. Netanyahu subsequently postponed a critical cabinet meeting that was scheduled for Thursday to discuss the deal until the mediators confirm that Hamas has accepted all the necessary details.

Despite the confusion, Kirby emphasized during an appearance on MSNBC that the agreement is not falling apart, maintaining hope that any last-minute conflicts could be resolved. He reiterated this sentiment in an interview with NBC, acknowledging the concerns expressed by Netanyahu but affirming that efforts to address the issues are already in progress.

According to reports, the first phase of the agreement involves the release of 33 hostages, with an emphasis on prioritizing children, women, the elderly, and the sick or injured. This initial phase is expected to last for 42 days, during which hostages will be systematically released, including three individuals anticipated to be freed on the very first day of the deal.

Additionally, a senior administration official indicated that out of the three American nationals in Gaza, two are expected to be released on the first day. Furthermore, Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces at the time of the recent attacks, is mentioned as a potential release. The negotiation for the fate of the remaining hostages, encompassing both the living and deceased, will commence after the 16th day of this initial phase, while at least 98 hostages remain in Gaza. The official emphasized the commitment to secure the release of all American citizens, whether alive or deceased.