From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 11, 2024
US downplays release of 500-pound bombs, cites increasingly ‘positive signs’ in hostage talks
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan downplays the partial release of the shipment of heavy bombs to Israel that Washington has withheld over concerns Israel would use them in densely populated areas of Gaza
“This was a simple logistical matter,” Sullivan says in a briefing, explaining that the US was only concerned about the shipment’s inclusion of 2,000-pound bombs that remain withheld, while the lighter 500-pound bombs have been released.
Sullivan also comments on the latest hostage-for-ceasefire talks, saying, “There is progress. We see the possibility that a deal will be reached, but we can’t know that for sure. Our team is in the region to discuss all these details. We think that all remaining issues can be resolved and should be resolved. The signs are more positive today than they have been in recent months.”
