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US national security adviser Sullivan says he believes Gaza deal may be close

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan

12 December 2024 21:35 (UTC +04:00)

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday he believed a deal on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release may be close as Israel had signalled it was ready and there were signs of movement from Hamas, APA reports citing Reuters.

After meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Sullivan said: "It might not happen but I believe it can happen with political will on both sides."

He said he planned to travel to Qatar and Egypt, Washington's fellow moderators of the talks, to advance efforts that "would start bringing those hostages home. It would also allow for a massive surge in humanitarian assistance."

Sullivan, an adviser to President Joe Biden, said he had been engaging with President-elect Donald Trump's choice to succeed him, Mike Waltz, "in a professional and serious way on all the issues that affect the State of Israel."

"No, I do not get that sense. I got the sense from the prime minister he is ready to do a deal," he told a press conference in Tel Aviv. "My goal will be to put us in a position to be able to close this deal this month."

"I can't make any promises or predictions to you but I wouldn't be here today if I thought this thing was just waiting until after Jan. 20," Sullivan said.