The US is applying pressure to get as many hostages out as possible and “as quickly as possible,” a senior diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
The source added, “This is what the Americans want [more hostages in shorter periods of time], and I hope it happens.”
An additional source approved that the US is actually in negotiations on the issue.
Steve Witkoff told the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv that optimism about the chance to implement the next steps. He added that there was also an interest in bringing the deceased hostages for burial in Israel.
Witkoff also addressed his meeting with political figures in Israel, noting, “I met with Mr. Smotrich today and Mr. Deri today. Everybody is feeling the joy of people coming home and being reunited with their families.”
Witkoff addresses ongoing talks
Earlier, Witkoff told a KAN News reporter that talks were ongoing to release an additional hostage on Friday. However, officials close to the negotiations have said this is inaccurate and the Middle East envoy probably meant Saturday.
Witkoff also visited Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev, the four IDF observers who were released from Gaza captivity last week.
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