White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that militant group Hamas is the key actor “holding the vision” on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
During an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Sullivan said Hamas is a key player in the ceasefire deal, noting the group is motivated by whether agreeing to it “makes sense at this point.”
“I think the key actor right now holding the vision on the ceasefire is Hamas,” he said. “And the key thing motivating Hamas is not American politics or the American presidential transition. It’s their determination about whether or not it makes sense for them at this point, after Hezbollah has abandoned them, after their leader has been killed, after their military formations have been degraded, to finally say yes to a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
He added that the Biden White House has been in communication with the incoming Trump Administration on the situation in the Middle East to aid in a peaceful transition.
“There has been very good coordination between our team and the incoming team on all of the aspects of the crisis in the Middle East,” Sullivan said. “We felt it was important that we be in touch with them, to keep them up to speed on what’s happening, because this handoff has got to be smooth, and they, in turn, have reciprocated by being open and transparent working with us.”
President-elect Trump is a vocal supporter of Israel. He has widely pledged to end the nation’s unrest during his second administration swiftly.
