The Israelis were insisting that it was not enough to free just 50 of the roughly 240 hostages.
Mr. Biden told the emir of Qatar, who was serving as the intermediary with Hamas, that four was all they would get for now.
The path to the hostage deal was painful and painstaking, one marked by fitful progress, deep mistrust, terrible choices and moments when the whole thing was on the verge of unraveling.
Mr. McGurk, who has wide contacts in the region, held early morning phone calls each day with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and then briefed Mr. Sullivan, who kept Mr. Biden informed.
Mr. Sullivan stayed in touch with Ron Dermer and Tzachi Hanegbi, two of Mr. Netanyahu’s closest advisers.
Persons:
Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Mr, Jake Sullivan, Brett McGurk, Joshua Geltzer, McGurk, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Sullivan, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu’s
Organizations:
Hamas, United, Biden, White, National Security Council
Locations:
Qatar, United States, Thani