Discussions between Israel and Hamas in Cairo have been “constructive” and ongoing, and media reports of a “near collapse” of negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal are inaccurate, John Kirby told reporters during a 30-minute call on Friday.
“The process is actually moving forward. It’s moving forward in the way we had outlined earlier in terms of these next rounds of talks,” the White House national security communications advisor said. “What’s critical is that everybody participate in these talks, and that the sides continue to work towards implementation.”
Asked about reports in Arabic media, which cited anonymous Egyptian officials, that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had set his own protection as a precondition for a deal, Kirby said he had no confirmation of the reports.
The White House adviser also addressed the threat that Iran has made to attack the Jewish state.
“We’re not taking anything for granted,” Kirby said.
He said that the Biden administration is “laser-focused” on both the Iranian threat and on securing a deal between Israel and the Hamas terror organization.
“It’s still a very perilous situation,” he said. “I can’t predict what Iran is going to do or not going to do. We believe they are still prepared to do something—if, in fact, they choose to do something—and that’s about as far as I’ll go. Therefore we gotta be prepared, and we are.”