Negotiators working on a phased framework deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by the in Gaza have made "real progress" over the last few weeks, a senior Biden administration official said on Sunday.
The hostage release deal was the main focus of the 45-minute telephone call between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, although there were still some "significant" gaps to close, the official said, adding, "It's pretty much there.”
According to the White House the two men discussed the “ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.
The President emphasized the need to capitalize on progress made in the negotiations to secure the release of all the hostages as soon as possible.”
Israel and Hamas have been at odds on the terms of a hostage deal. Following a Paris meeting led by US CIA Chief William Burns, Israel presented Hamas with a proposal which the terror group rejected presenting one of its own.
Israel rejected that counterproposal but has remained in the talks, with Burns expected to hold another meeting in Cairo this week possibly as early as Tuesday, according to media reports.
Both Qatar and Egypt have been the mediators of a deal for the release of the remaining 136 hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu and Hamas have staunch differences of opinion regarding IDF operations in Rafah
Netanyahu has insisted that only a military operation will ensure the release of the hostages. Hamas-run Aqsa Television channel quoted a senior Hamas leader as warning Sunday that any Israeli ground offensive in Rafah on the Gaza border will "blow up" the hostage exchange negotiations.” saying on Sunday.
Separately Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), who was a former Prime Minister, met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris today to discuss international efforts to bring the hostages home and to remove the threat of Hezbollah from Israel’s northern border.
Reuters contributed to this report.