If hostages freed, significant pause in war: American official
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Washington: US President Joe Biden's main adviser on the Middle East Brett McGurk said that if Hamas frees the hostages taken on October 7th, there would be a significant pause in the Israeli attack on Gaza.
He was speaking at a security conference in Bahrain.
He said, "The surge in humanitarian relief, the surge in fuel, the pause... will come when hostages are released. Release of a large number of hostages would result in a significant pause and a massive surge of humanitarian relief."
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi was also present at the conference and said that it was "unacceptable" to link a humanitarian pause to hostage release. So far, Qatar's negotiations have led to the release of four hostages.
Israel has demanded that all hostages be released before a ceasefire happens.
He added that US President Joe Biden discussed the issue with the ruler of Qatar on Friday. Doha is leading mediation efforts for a ceasefire and releasing hostages.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has discussed "the urgent need for all hostages held by Hamas to be released without further delay." Biden claimed he was "mildly hopeful" of reaching a deal to free hostages and 10 of them are US citizens.
McGurk described the situation in Gaza "horrific" and "intolerable". The Israel attack has resulted in over 11,000 deaths so far.