White House statement on Gaza: "We want to see war ends”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Hamas is expected to participate in the ceasefire negotiations scheduled for tomorrow in Doha. "Tomorrow will be a significant day. We want to see a ceasefire achieved. We want to see this war come to an end," she said.
During the daily press briefing, Jean-Pierre discussed the latest developments regarding the potential ceasefire process in Gaza.
Emphasizing the importance of the ceasefire negotiations expected to take place on Thursday, August 15th, in Doha, Jean-Pierre expressed hope that Hamas would join the discussions.
"Tomorrow will be a significant day. We want to see a ceasefire achieved. We want to see this war come to an end," Jean-Pierre reiterated, adding that this ceasefire could facilitate the return of captives to their homes and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Jean-Pierre also mentioned that the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran could be reduced through this ceasefire.
Repeating the U.S. administration's recent statements about seeking to lower tensions in the Middle East, despite approving a $20 billion arms sale to Israel yesterday, the American spokesperson confirmed that both the U.S. and Israel would be present in Doha and expressed hope that Hamas representatives would also participate in the negotiations.
Jean-Pierre noted that Brett McGurk, White House National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, and CIA Director William Burns were in the region, doing everything possible to restart the stalled talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reportedly canceled his visit to the region, discussed the current status of tomorrow's negotiations over the phone with his Egyptian and Qatari counterparts.
