[Cheonji Daily News Washington=Reporter Eloise Lee] — February 27
The US is in negotiations to secure a pause in the war between Israel and Hamas that could last several weeks, according to National Security Council spokesman Admiral John Kirby.
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday from the White House, Kirby said that the Administration is hoping for “up to six" weeks of a temporary ceasefire.
“You can expect, should both sides abide by their commitments, several weeks of no fighting,” said Kirby, if the current negotiations follow through.
The pause of all military operations would allow the release of hostages, increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestine, and stop further damage to civilian infrastructure.
“Now, the last pause was a week. What we're hoping for is much more aggressive than that,” said Kirby, referring to a temporary truce last November that was abruptly terminated by Israel even after the U.S. had called for an extension so that more hostages could be secured.
There remains about six American hostages in Hamas captivity.
“The clock that we're worried about is the hostages,” Kirby told reporters.
“We can only assume that they are being held in abhorrent conditions and that their health is at risk, their lives are at risk. We want to get them out as soon as possible.”