Israel Biden adviser: Hostage deal possible - failure also possible

SDA

12.1.2025 - 17:22

ARCHIVE - Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/dpa/Archive image
ARCHIVE - Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/dpa/Archive image
Keystone

The National Security Advisor to outgoing US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, sees cautious chances of a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release in the Middle East. "We are very, very close," Sullivan told the US television station CNN. "And yet being very close means we still have a long way to go, because until we cross the finish line, we're not there yet."

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The negotiations in Qatar, mediated by the USA, were ongoing. "We remain determined to use every day we are in office to see this thing through," Sullivan said. "It's possible we'll get it done before Jan. 20, but I can't predict we'll get it done." Biden would be briefed on the status of the negotiations every day and would probably talk to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "soon". However, there is also the possibility that Hamas in particular will not budge in the end, "as has happened so many times before".

Biden will leave the White House on January 20 and hand over the reins of office to Republican Donald Trump.

Indirect negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages still being held there in return for Palestinian prisoners are currently underway again in the Gulf state of Qatar.