The U.S. administration has emphasized the potential for an agreement regarding the release of hostages taken in Gaza, encouraging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently visiting Washington, to take action to make this a reality.
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that they believe Netanyahu has “the capability” to finalize a deal. However, he acknowledged a “remaining gap” between the parties that the U.S. is working to bridge.
Kirby spoke while Netanyahu was meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. He indicated that President Biden strongly believes in the necessity of securing an agreement for the hostages and establishing a cease-fire, at least for the proposed initial six-week period initiated by Biden several weeks ago.
“Today marks the 293rd day that these hostages have been held by Hamas, and we must recognize that they are likely in a terrible situation,” Kirby noted.
Biden and Netanyahu are also discussing the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border, particularly the conflict with Hezbollah, as they work to avoid escalating into open warfare.
Kirby further stressed the “critical need for stability in the West Bank.” He pointed out ongoing violence there that the president has consistently deemed unacceptable, particularly hinting at actions by Israeli settlers. He reaffirmed the U.S.’s staunch commitment to Israel’s security in the face of threats from Iran and its allies.
After their meeting, Biden and Netanyahu plan to meet with the families of some of the eight Israeli-American hostages taken in Gaza. This will mark President Biden’s second meeting with these families, as highlighted by Kirby.
Regarding negotiations, the State Department, through spokesperson Matthew Miller, noted some “progress” has been made. “We have a framework for an agreement. Now we need to align our positions and finalize a deal for everything to move forward,” Miller explained to the media.
Miller also criticized the protests against Netanyahu in Washington, especially the symbols associated with Hamas. “We’ve seen how Hamas responds to protests against its government in Gaza—with brutal repression, arrests, and violence,” he said.
He expressed concern about the presence of people marching through Washington carrying Hamas flags, showcasing slogans that expressed hate, and burning U.S. flags. “It’s despicable, hateful, and contrary to the values of this country,” he asserted, while acknowledging that the majority of the thousands of protesters were patriotic Americans.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/07/25/la-casa-blanca-anima-a-netanyahu-a-cerrar-un-acuerdo-por-los-rehenes/
