The call coincides with reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the Middle East on Tuesday, with planned stops in Israel, Qatar, and Egypt—key mediators in the negotiations. Despite Hamas's announcement that it will not send representatives, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed the importance of moving forward with the talks. He urged all parties to return to the negotiating table and finalize the deal, emphasizing the need for Hamas to release hostages, including American citizens, and demonstrate genuine concern for the people of Gaza.
Kirby stated, "It’s time for Hamas to prove its commitment to the people of Gaza by participating in the talks, finalizing the deal, and bringing relief to the region." He expressed confidence that the negotiations could still progress despite recent challenges. US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel also reiterated the expectation for the talks to advance, urging all parties to return to the table to complete the agreement.
