Hamas has adjusted its position on the phase one deal, a shift the White House described as ‘encouraging.’
WASHINGTON—The White House announced on Thursday a breakthrough in overcoming a “critical impasse” in negotiations with the Hamas terrorist group for the release of hostages and advancing toward a permanent cease-fire.
The president and his national security team have reviewed the response that Hamas sent through Qatari mediators earlier this week, the White House said.
“It’s clear that this response moves the process forward and may provide the basis for closing a deal,” a senior administration official told reporters during a call following the review of Hamas’s response.
“We do believe there is a pretty significant opening here.”
Negotiations will continue in Doha in the coming days, with a U.S. team participating, the official said.
The announcement was made after President Biden held a 30-minute phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which both leaders discussed the details of the hostage and cease-fire negotiations, according to the White House.
The White House stated that the leaders discussed the recent response from Hamas.
The senior administration official did not provide the details of the breakthrough but noted that Hamas initially resisted the conditions of the phase one deal, a prerequisite to phase two, which involves a permanent cease-fire. However, Hamas has now adjusted its position, a shift the White House described as encouraging.
“What we’ve got back from Hamas was a pretty significant adjustment to what had been their position, and we think that is encouraging. We have heard the same from the Israelis,” the official said.
He described the Hamas response as “a breakthrough on a critical impasse” in the deal.
However, this does not imply that the deal will close in a few days, the official said, as some of the implementation steps require significant work.
The first phase of the deal would allow the release of hostages, including women, men over 50, and those who are sick or wounded.
During their call, President Biden and Mr. Netanyahu also discussed the situation on the border with Lebanon.
By Emel Akan
