Israel surprised by White House statements on upcoming truce with Hamas

Israel appears to have been caught by surprise when US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby announced that, “we are as close as we think we have ever been” to reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal between the occupation state and Hamas.

“What we’re talking about here is recognising the fact that we’ve come an awful long way,” explained Kirby. “There is a good proposal before both sides, and they both need to accept that proposal so we can get this in place. We are as close as we think we have ever been, and that’s why — that’s why we talk about it in these terms.”

Israeli sources participating in the negotiations referred to Kirby’s remarks and said that they cannot understand what the Americans are basing their optimism on. “Until now, no response has been received from Hamas,” they added.

According to predictions in Israel, after the days of mourning Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh passed in Qatar — where he was buried — they would have tried to hold a summit where talks would take place, but that did not happen. In Israel, they do not know what is happening between Qatar and Hamas, but according to Yedioth Ahronoth, the same sources said, “It is possible that the Americans know something we do not, because the Americans are working with the Qataris.”

READ: Pope calls for halting escalation of Middle East conflict, ‘starting with Gaza’