White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said Thursday morning that he was "confident" that a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement could still be "implemented" on Sunday, as the families of two Americans scheduled for immediate release awaited answers.
"There's a deal," Kirby told ABC's George Stephanopoulos. "We are confident that we will be able to start implementation on Sunday. There are still some implementation details that need to be worked out. We are working very, very hard with the Israelis right now.
"But we are confident that we can achieve this," he added.
From left to right, American hostages held in Gaza: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen. (Fox News)
Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance as key vote delayed
The United States and Qatar both confirmed on Wednesday whether the deal had been successfully reached, sparking confusion after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that Hamas had "created a last-minute crisis that hindered a solution."
"Hamas reneged on clear understandings with the mediators and Israel in a last-minute blackmail attempt," he claimed, according to a statement shared by Israeli news agency TPS-IL.
Hamas reportedly refuted the Israeli government's accusations.
Netanyahu postponed a cabinet hearing scheduled for Thursday morning's vote on the deal until "the mediator announces that Hamas has approved all details of the deal."
But Kirby seemed determined to make it clear that the deal wasn't falling apart, telling MSNBC, "It's not falling apart."
He also told NBC, "We are aware of these issues raised by the prime minister... We are confident that we can resolve these issues and move forward at the last minute."
Photos of loved ones captured by Hamas are shown during the UK press conference for Defending Israeli Democracy at the Bridge Hotel in Westminster Square on October 12, 2023 in London. (Lucy North/PA Photo via Getty Images)
Israel's Netanyahu delays Gaza ceasefire vote, accuses Hamas of trying to withdraw from deal
The first phase of the agreement plans to release about 33 hostages, with priority being given to any possible children, women, the elderly and the sick and wounded. The initial phase will last for 42 days and the hostages will be gradually released, with three captives set to be released on the first day of the agreement.
There are reports that three female Israeli soldiers may be released on the first day of the agreement.
That's despite a senior administration official telling Fox News and other reporters on Wednesday that two of the three living Americans in Gaza are expected to be released on the first day.
"We'll see - I don't want to say until we actually see them - but Keith Siegel and Sajj Decker-Chan are going to come out on day one, Edan is going to leave Gaza, which is No doubt about it," the official said.
Edan Alexander is a 21-year-old American Israeli who was serving with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the day of the attack on October 7, 2023, although the soldier is not expected to be released until the second phase, which The second phase will begin on the 43rd day of the ceasefire.
Israeli hostage families travel to Jerusalem with photos of loved ones held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Negotiations on the specific details of the release of the remaining hostages, dead and alive, will begin on day 16 of the first phase.
At least 98 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 94 of whom were taken on October 7, 2023. 62 of the hostages are believed to be alive, but 36 are estimated to be dead.
"We are committed to getting all Americans out of Gaza. These are American Israeli citizens, and they are all out of Gaza," the official said. "Live or stay. That's our commitment."