Netanyahu hostage czar Hirsch discusses talks with US counterpart Carstens

Gal Hirsch, the Israeli government’s official point person on efforts to free hostage in Gaza, has met in Washington with his US counterpart Roger Carstens, the Prime Minister’s Office says.

Hirsch and Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, discussed “the status of negotiations with Hamas and joint areas of work on the agenda” during the working meeting, the PMO says.

Hirsch, seen as a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has largely been sidelined in hostage negotiations, which have been led by Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

Carstens as well has largely remained without a major public role in the talks mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt which have been led on the American side by CIA director Bill Burns.

There is no comment from the State Department or White House on the meeting.