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.
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.
