US: Significant pause needed in Middle East conflict for hostage release

(Patria) - Talks are underway about a "very significant" pause in the Middle East conflict to facilitate the
release of dozens of hostages captured by Hamas, a senior White House official said on Friday.

"This is something that is being discussed very seriously and actively. But there is no agreement yet for it to actually happen," the official said, as reported by AFP.

It is estimated that Hamas kidnapped 240 Israelis and foreign nationals during the attack on Israel on October 7. The US official, who wished to remain anonymous, said that "no one knows" the exact number of hostages, adding that it is "more than 100, and possibly over 200."

To extract that many people, "a fairly significant pause in hostilities will be needed."

But the official warned: "There is absolutely no guarantee a) that it will happen or b) when it will happen."

Israel and the United States have previously rejected a ceasefire, which they say would allow Hamas to regroup and resupply, and US President Joe Biden has supported "temporary, localized" pauses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there could be no "temporary ceasefire" in Gaza unless Hamas releases the hostages.