From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
US, UK and German envoys in Tel Aviv join families to push for swift hostage deal
The US, British and German ambassadors to Israel say at a press conference that Israel and Hamas must reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza soon, as there might not be other opportunities to win the freedom of hostages held in the Palestinian enclave since October 7.
US Ambassador Jack Lew, German Ambassador Steffen Seibert and British Ambassador Simon Walters make the comments at a special press conference at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s Tel Aviv headquarters.
Lew tells reporters that the three ambassadors have made common cause in freeing their own countries’ hostages as well as those who are citizens of other nations — adding that it remains a high priority of the Biden administration to reach a ceasefire-hostage release deal.
“We also need to reach a diplomatic solution in the north. The meeting tomorrow is very important, it needs to bring a solution. We don’t know how many more opportunities we will have to reunite hostages with their families and have a doorway to stability in the area,” he says, stressing that there is no time to lose and that the United States calls on “all parties to reach a deal now.”
Seibert says this week is “potentially decisive” for the fate of the hostages ahead of a summit meant to clinch a deal scheduled for tomorrow, likely in Doha, Qatar.
The “eyes of millions” are pinned on tomorrow’s talks, which would open up the possibility of finding a political solution to the fighting in the north and allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return home,” he says, adding that “the Hamas terrorists could have and should have returned the hostages a long time ago.”
Switching to Hebrew, Seibert speaks about the unimaginable suffering of the families of the hostages, calling their experience “unbearable” and calling on all parties, including Iran, to refrain from actions that would jeopardize the talks.
He includes National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount yesterday, which he calls a “provocation.”
Walters tells reporters in Tel Aviv that his country welcomes efforts to secure a hostage deal, stating that “there cannot be further delay.”
“15 of August is the time to achieve a deal. We urge Iran to refrain from hurting the effort and they will pay a price if they will harm the process,” he says.
The conference comes days after US President Joe Biden spoke to the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to discuss de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. The five leaders then issued a joint statement that endorsed a call from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to renew talks for a hostage-truce deal as soon as possible.
