In Washington, the deal to release some of the hostages held by Hamas was finalized after two crucial phone calls forced opposing sides to make difficult concessions. The Israeli government refused to accept the release of only 50 hostages out of the 240 and made this a non-negotiable detail. Therefore, U.S. President Joe Biden had to persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to settle for what was on the table and continue negotiations for the remaining hostages.
In contrast, Hamas leaders insisted that the temporary cease-fire incorporated into the agreement should last for five days, while the Israelis would not agree to more than four. The President conveyed the message to the emir of Qatar, who was serving as the intermediary with Hamas, that four days was a non-negotiable condition. This led to discussions between the two opposing sides, leading to an agreement to free some of the hostages.
The pact was the result of incredibly thorough and strategic deliberation, filled with constant progress, mutual distrust, difficult decision-making, and moments when the negotiation was on the verge of collapsing. Both sides made tough decisions, and while the outcome wasn’t ideal, the agreement could potentially set a precedent for future discussions.
President Biden remarked about the grueling diplomatic efforts that led to the agreement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Last night’s deal is a testament to the tireless diplomacy and determination of many dedicated individuals across the United States government to bring Americans home,” Biden said. “Now, it’s important that all aspects are fully implemented.”
This narrative is based on senior Biden administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to respect the integrity of communication channels.
Efforts to liberate the hostages started in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took 240 hostages. The Qatari government, a small Gulf emirate with close ties to the U.S., approached the White House, suggesting a potential deal for the hostages’ release.
As part of a highly confidential operation, Brett McGurk, Joshua Geltzer, and Jake Sullivan were asked to take the lead in working with Qatari officials behind the scenes. In an effort to preserve secrecy, the initiative was kept under wraps from other federal agencies.
The Qatari negotiations led to the release of two American citizens, Natalie and Judith Raanan, and emboldened President Biden and his team to believe that the Qatar channel could result in more hostages being released. This paved the way for negotiations between the Israel and the U.S., ultimately leading to the agreement to release the hostages.
The process was fraught with tension, and there were moments when communication lines went dark amid disputes over the terms of the agreement. However, with strategic negotiations, both parties reached a deal that would see the release of the hostages over several stages.
This extensive narrative outlines the agonizing efforts made to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, underscoring the complexity and multifaceted nature of diplomatic negotiations. It culminated the release of hostages and a temporary cease-fire, emphasizing the commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
