In the interview, al-Hayya said, “Without a complete withdrawal of all IDF forces from all parts of Gaza, including the Philadelphi Route and the Nitzarim Route, and the release of prisoners and cessation of hostilities, there will be no deal.” He referred to the proposal as "the July 2nd proposal," which, according to him, Israel had agreed to and then retracted.
Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement indicating that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received an update from the U.S. negotiating team on the hostage deal.
The statement read: “President Biden and Vice President Harris met in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. negotiating team regarding the hostage deal following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Pollin and five other hostages by Hamas.”
It was further stated that the President expressed outrage: “President Biden voiced his frustration and anger over the murder and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamas leaders accountable.”
“During the meeting, President Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed by the U.S. negotiating team on the status of the mediation proposal developed by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. They discussed the next steps in the ongoing effort to secure the release of the hostages, including continued consultations with the partner mediators, Qatar and Egypt.”
