The United States is exerting significant pressure to secure the release of as many hostages as possible, aiming for a swift outcome, a high-ranking diplomatic official revealed to The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
The official went on to say, “This is what the Americans want [more hostages in shorter periods of time], and I hope it happens.”
Another source confirmed that the United States is actively engaged in discussions concerning the matter.
Steve Witkoff shared his hopeful outlook with the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv, expressing optimism about the upcoming steps. He also mentioned the desire to repatriate the bodies of deceased hostages for burial in Israel.
Witkoff spoke about his meetings with Israeli political leaders, saying, “I met with Mr. Smotrich today and Mr. Deri today. Everybody is feeling the joy of people coming home and being reunited with their families.”
Earlier, Witkoff told a reporter from KAN News that talks were continuing for the release of another hostage on Friday. However, sources familiar with the negotiations have indicated that this information was incorrect, and it’s likely that the Middle East envoy meant Saturday instead.
Witkoff also took time to visit Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev, the four IDF observers who were freed from captivity in Gaza last week.
{Matzav.com Israel}
President Trump is putting pressure to release the hostages so that he can get started with cleaning out Gaza. He wants to finish up with the wars worldwide, so that he can bring in thousands of new technologies for the benefit of the entire world.