US President Joe Biden's administration will not allow "extremists", including those in Israel, to derail Gaza ceasefire talks, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, accusing Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich that he was telling lies, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Kirby pointed out that Smotrich's statements that a cessation of hostilities would be tantamount to surrender and that hostages should not be exchanged for prisoners were "grossly wrong". According to the official representative of the White House, the minister is misleading the Israeli public.
The US and its allies have been trying for months to negotiate a cease-fire agreement in exchange for the release of the hostages, but have continually run into obstacles from Israel and "Hamas".
American representatives are of the opinion that the latest peace formula that has been proposed is the most successful so far, because at no previous stage of the negotiations have the two sides been so close to reaching an agreement: it provides to release the women, sick and elderly hostages held by "Hamas" in Gaza from October 7, in exchange for at least a six-week truce.
"We want to reach an agreement. "We believe it's possible, but it will take leadership from both sides and some compromises to make it happen," Kirby told reporters.
On Thursday, the leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar called on Israel and "Hamas" to meet on August 15 to finalize the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.
In a joint statement, the three countries trying to broker efforts to end fighting in the Palestinian enclave indicated that those talks could take place in either Doha or Cairo.
Kirby added that some critics, such as Smotrich, argued that the hostage deal amounted to a "capitulation to "Hamas" and that hostages should not be exchanged for (Palestinian) prisoners", and also that the war should continue for as yet unclear.
"His arguments are deeply flawed," said the White House representative.