White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday that he doesn’t have any update on the ongoing hostage talks, while insisting that Hamas remains the main obstacle to the deal.
Kirby said that US efforts to secure the deal continue and that it will not give up.
“It is because of Hamas throwing up obstacles or refusing to move on any of these details that we are still not at a conclusion,” Times of Israel report quoted Kirby as saying during a press briefing.
Israeli and US officials involved in negotiations for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal expressed concern about the slim chances of reaching an agreement before President Trump takes office, reported Axios.
Trump has threatened that there would be “hell to pay in the Middle East” if Hamas does not release the hostages held in Gaza by January 20. President Biden has made mediating a deal a priority for his final months in office.
It remains unclear what Trump meant by “hell to pay,” and a source close to the president-elect indicated that there is no plan for action if the deadline is not met, added the report.
Some Israeli officials worry that the incoming administration could support measures opposed by Biden, such as limiting humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
US and Israeli officials noted that Hamas’ top military leader, Mohammed Sinwar, does not appear deterred by Trump’s threats. However, one US source involved in the talks indicated there is still a possibility of a deal within the next three weeks.
If negotiations do not yield results by January 20, the transition to Trump could delay talks by several months, potentially risking the lives of the remaining 100 hostages held by Hamas, including seven Americans. Israeli intelligence suggests that about half of the hostages are still alive.
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