Hostage deal elusive as US pushes for Gaza pause
US officials are seeking a humanitarian pause in Gaza to help negotiate the release of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas.
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WASHINGTON — A month into Israel’s war in Gaza, there’s a glimmer of hope for at least some of the hostages trapped in the Hamas-ruled enclave.
The Biden administration’s push for a humanitarian pause to facilitate the safe return of hostages appears to have made some headway following Secretary of State Antony Blinken's second whirlwind trip to the region since the Oct. 7 attacks.
A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to Al-Monitor that the US, Israel and Qatar are discussing a pause of up to 72 hours during which Hamas would release a small number of hostages. Axios first reported on the proposed pause.
