US, Israel talks on Rafah to resume as early as next week, US national security officials say

A senior US defense official condemned Hamas for holding hostages and rejecting a ceasefire offer. Biden administration is set to continue talks with Israel next week.

 A rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv. December 9, 2023. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
A rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv. December 9, 2023.
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

A senior defense official in the Biden Administration said the hostages have to be returned from Gaza and it's outrageous that Hamas has an offer on the table with everything they asked for in a call with national security leaders on Sunday morning. 

"I'm not going to confirm one way or another what they're response is, but it's pretty clear Sinwar wants to hold hostages," the official said, instead of agreeing to a deal that would lead to an immediate ceasefire.

"That speaks to everything you need to know about Hamas," the official said.

 A woman stands next to posters with photos of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 20, 2024.  (credit: CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS)
A woman stands next to posters with photos of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 20, 2024. (credit: CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS)

"That speaks to everything you need to know about Hamas"

Another senior official said the administration is still at odds with Israel over Rafah, which they've discussed a number of times.

The official said the administration will resume discussions on Rafah as early as next week. What it's going to take to go into Rafah is "extraordinarily complex," the official said.