‘This is the closest we’ve come to getting’ hostages in Gaza released: Rubio

Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared his optimism on Sunday regarding the potential for a deal between Hamas and Israel to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He expressed that this could be the closest they have come to securing the release of all hostages, including those who have lost their lives.

However, Rubio also emphasized that while progress has been made, there are still critical components of the peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump that require further negotiations. He highlighted that there are potential pitfalls along the way that need to be navigated carefully.

In an interview with ABC News’ “This Week,” Rubio mentioned that preliminary discussions on the technical aspects of the agreement have already begun. He stressed the importance of expediency, particularly in the initial phase of the deal, which involves the repatriation of the hostages to Israel.

President Trump has underscored the need for swift action, with Rubio echoing the sentiment that any delays in the hostage release could impede progress on the broader agreement. He emphasized the urgency of finalizing these details to build momentum for the overall deal.

Looking ahead, mediators are scheduled to engage in further talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo starting on Monday. The U.S. delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will play a key role in these discussions.

As this situation continues to evolve, updates on the progress of the negotiations are expected. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this developing story.

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