Families of American hostages in Gaza call for US to cut a deal without Israel: Report
The families of American hostages currently being held in Gaza by Palestinian groups have met with the Biden administration and called for the US to consider cutting a unilateral deal - one that doesn't include Israel - to secure the release of their loved ones.
In a report by NBC News, several sources familiar with the discussions said the relatives told the administration to "evaluate options that do not include Israel", as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue waging the war on Gaza.
The report said that the family members and some administration officials believe Netanyahu will not commit to an agreement with Hamas which would see the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza.
There are currently four Americans being held in Gaza by Palestinian groups, and Washington is also seeking the return of the remains of three others presumed dead.
One administration official told NBC that securing a unilateral deal without Israel is difficult because the US has little leverage with Hamas, and it would not have enough to offer the group in exchange for the hostages.
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“We have considered all possible options to free the hostages and bring them home to their families. Because of Hamas’s demands, there has not been a formal offer for a side deal made because no such deal is possible,” the official said.
“Hamas wants two things that only Israel can deliver: a ceasefire and nearly 1,000 Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli jails. Every other proposal has gone nowhere because that is what Hamas demands for the hostages,” the official added.
Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a ceasefire deal. The comment was made to reporters days after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Israel's military said the hostages were killed by Palestinian fighters. Hamas on Monday said that Israel bears responsibility for the death of the hostages.
Biden also told reporters the White House was "very close" to presenting a final proposal for a ceasefire to both Israel and Hamas.
The US has for months blamed Hamas as the obstacle to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
But several US officials told The New York Times this week that Netanyahu is "seeking to run out the clock until the American election" to secure a ceasefire deal that would release the remaining captives held in Gaza.
The officials also suggested that Netanyahu might face less pressure to make concessions for an agreement if Republican nominee and former US President Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November.
The main points of contention in the current negotiations over a deal between Hamas and Israel are the number of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for the captives and the terms and timing of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza-Egyptian border.
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