The White House says a temporary ceasefire in Gaza is essential to a hostage deal and calls on Hamas to accept the terms currently on the table, as talks to secure a truce proceed in Cairo.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby tells reporters that the United States still hopes to conclude a temporary ceasefire-for-hostages deal by the start of Ramadan on March 10.
He says Hamas has yet to agree to the terms of a proposed deal that would include a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of some of the sick, elderly, and wounded hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian terrorists in their October 7 massacres in southern Israel.
US Vice President Kamala Harris separately tells reporters, “We’re in a window of time right now where we can actually get a hostage deal done. We all want this conflict to end as soon as possible, and how it does matters.”
Kirby also says the United States will airdrop more humanitarian supplies into Gaza and is exploring using a maritime option for getting in more aid. He says truck deliveries had been slowed by opposition from some members of Israel’s cabinet.
“Israel bears a responsibility here to do more,” he says.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 4, 2024
