US calls for pause in Gaza war for hostage release deal

[Cheonji Daily News Washington=Reporter Eloise Lee], January 31 —
Washington has been vocal about the need for another humanitarian pause in the war between Israel and Hamas, in order to rescue hostages held in Gaza since October 7.

“We continue to do everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal, just like we did back in November,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. 



The next day, Kirby updated that Washington has made progress in confirming regional allies' desire to see an extended pause in fighting. Because the U.S. does not officially communicate with Hamas — a designated terrorist organization — any deal requires the cooperation of other governments in the Middle East to speak on behalf of the United States.



U.S. officials from the State Department and the CIA have been meeting with their counterparts in the region — engaging most notably with the governments of Qatar and Egypt.

The White House shared that President Biden personally spoke with Egyptian President Sisi last Friday, and the two leaders agreed on acquiring a deal for a prolonged humanitarian pause for the release of all hostages. Egypt has played an important role since the conflict began, as it shares a border with Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to flow through one of its crossings.

President Biden also had a call with Qatari leader Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani the same day.



“Both leaders affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting,” said the White House. But when it comes to securing the cooperation of Israel, and how soon a deal can be finalized, the conversation is delicate.



“We’re hopeful about progress, but I do not expect — we should not expect any imminent developments,” warned Kirby. “I want to be careful here because I don't want to say anything that would torpedo the deal we're trying to put in place,” he also said.

There had been reports that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is not interested in striking a deal because of the expectation that Hamas prisoners would be released in exchange for hostages. 



“I think we’ll let the Prime Minister speak for himself. There’s no reason for us to change course here. We still believe that this is the right thing to do,” said Kirby after he was asked for a reaction to the reports.