“The [administration] pressed Israeli leadership to delay because of progress on the hostage front,” and the need to get trucks of aid into Gaza, one person familiar with the discussions said.
A senior Israeli official denied the US is seeking a delay of its ground incursion into Gaza.
The US is not pressing Israel in regards to the ground operation,” the official said.
Each and every one of them, now, unconditionally.”“We don’t know why Hamas chose to release Natalie and Judith first.
“That [military] pressure isn’t going to go because they were released,” the official said.
Persons:
CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie Raanan, Antony Blinken, ”, Natalie, Judith, Benjamin Netanyahu
Organizations:
CNN, Hamas, Israel, NSC, ”, Press, Brigades, Israel’s
Locations:
Israel, Gaza, ” Qatar