The White House Believes Hamas-Israel Problems Can Be Solved And Ceasefire Begins Sunday

John Kirby. (Source: The White House)

JAKARTA - White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the United States was aware of the last-minute issue regarding details of the Hamas Palestinian militant group's ceasefire agreement with Israel, but did not reduce confidence the deal would continue as planned on Sunday.

Kirby's comments came as Israel was still delaying to officially declare the deal had been reached, insisting details still had to be finalized, assessing the Hamas group disrupted negotiations at the last minute.

"We are aware of the issues that the prime minister has appointed today, this afternoon, their time, and we are overcoming them. Our team on the pitch is really working with him and his team to solve all of this and level it and make it move forward," Kirby explained in "Meet the Press" on NBC. January 17th.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahui's Office issued a statement on Hari Kami, accusing Hamas of withdrawing from several agreements and creating a "crisis" in finalizing the deal.

"Obviously, this must be approved by the Israeli government, and Prime Minister Netanyahu knows it. He is also in the process, but we believe that we will be able to resolve the problems in the last minute and start, and that this ceasefire can be implemented starting Sunday," Kirby believes.

It is known that negotiators reached a gradual agreement on Wednesday to end the war on Gaza between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of conflict since October 7, 2023, fueling tensions in the Middle East. This will take effect on Sunday.

The deal includes the gradual release of hostages arrested by Hamas-led militants, in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

The deal is also expected to ease tensions in the Middle East sparked by the conflict in Gaza, then ignite the occupied West Bank of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran, raising fears of Israel's war with Iran.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said there would be a "follow-up mechanism" consisting of representatives from the United States, Qatar and Egypt who will headquarter in Cairo, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the hostage release agreement and the ceasefire.