US Mideast envoy in Cairo to focus on humanitarian pause, potential hostage deal

US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is in Cairo for “active” discussions on ensuring the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and securing a humanitarian pause, the White House says.

White House spokesperson John Kirby says the Biden administration would absolutely support a longer humanitarian pause. He declines to specify a timeframe and cautioned he would not characterize the discussions as negotiations.

“The conversations are very sober and serious about trying to get another hostage deal in place,” Kirby told a regular White House briefing, adding the talks included discussion on how long of a pause would be needed to get the hostages out.

He said McGurk was also discussing other issues, including getting an assessment of Israel’s military operations and its efforts to protect civilians, as well as continuing to explore the idea of a normalization of Israel-Saudi ties.

Kirby reiterated Washington’s insistence that future post-conflict Gaza leadership could not include Hamas leaders, and said Washington did not want the territory of Gaza reduced.

“Whatever governance looks like in Gaza, after this is over, it’s got to be representative of the aspirations of the Palestinian people who are not represented by Hamas,” he said.