White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that the US administration has been holding direct and ongoing talks with the terrorist organization Hamas, as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and secure the release of hostages.
"Regarding Gaza... the president, as well as the National Security Team, continues to participate in talks with both sides of this conflict," Leavitt said during a press briefing. "He made it clear to Hamas that he wants all the hostages to be released. He wants this conflict to end, not just because of money but also to save lives."
Meanwhile, the distribution of humanitarian aid and supplies to residents of the Gaza Strip is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 25. Security sources told Israel Hayom that preparations are nearing completion, including the establishment of a security screening route for representatives of Palestinian families who will arrive to collect the supplies.
Inside the designated compound in southern Gaza, the US company overseeing the project has built large storage facilities and established distribution centers where individuals will be registered and provided with food packages. Each package is designed to sustain a family for one week.
The Arabic-language Sky News reported on Saturday that one of Hamas' conditions for agreeing to a deal is the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza without "obstacles" from Israel. According to a Palestinian source cited in the report, Hamas has expressed doubts about the US's ability to ensure Israel's compliance with the terms of any agreement and questions whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government would agree to make such commitments.
