The White House national security communications adviser, John Kirby, expressed hope for a six-week peace deal with Hamas during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” Kirby stated that Israel had assured the Biden administration that they would not launch an offensive in Rafah until they had the chance to share their perspectives and concerns. He mentioned that Hamas was considering a proposal for a hostage deal, which could potentially lead to six weeks of peace, including no fighting in Rafah. The hope is that this temporary cease-fire could eventually lead to a more enduring peace agreement.
Hamas announced that they were reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, as Egypt increased its efforts to broker a deal to end the ongoing conflict and prevent an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah. The negotiations have focused on a six-week cease-fire and the release of hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. While Hamas did not provide details about the Israeli offer, they did confirm that discussions were ongoing with the three main militant groups in Gaza to end the war. An Egyptian delegation recently visited Israel to discuss a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza.
Kirby also addressed the planned deliveries of aid to Gaza through an offshore pier being constructed by the U.S. military. He stated that the construction of the pier was underway, and it would likely take two to three weeks before it could be operational. Kirby emphasized that the U.S. was working closely with Israel on the operation of the pier. The hope is that the aid deliveries will help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and contribute to the peace efforts in the region.
During the interview, Kirby was asked about the anti-Israel protests occurring at American college campuses and the use of police to disperse the demonstrations. He stressed that while peaceful protests were a right, they needed to remain peaceful. Kirby condemned the recent rise in antisemitic language and hate speech during the protests. He emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations and stated that President Biden respected the right to protest but wanted to ensure that nobody was hurt in the process. Local authorities were tasked with managing the protests to ensure they remained peaceful.
Overall, the Biden administration remains hopeful for a temporary cease-fire with Hamas, which could lead to a more enduring peace agreement in the region. Negotiations are ongoing, with efforts to secure the release of hostages and prisoners as part of the peace deal. The construction of an offshore pier to deliver aid to Gaza is also in progress, with the hope of alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The administration condemns antisemitism and hate speech that has emerged during protests and emphasizes the importance of peaceful demonstrations as a means of expressing viewpoints and promoting dialogue.
