White House principal deputy national security advisor Jon Finer stated on Tuesday that the administration is hopeful that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah will pave the way for progress in Gaza.
Finer emphasized that the administration aims to utilize the ceasefire deal to potentially advance towards a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza. Additionally, they seek to contribute to broader regional integration efforts, including the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a goal that has been in the works for several months.
Regarding the concrete steps the administration plans to take to renew efforts for a Gaza ceasefire, Finer refrained from providing specific details. However, he highlighted the belief that Hamas may have thought that a broader regional conflict or tensions between Israel and Lebanon could divert the attention of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and alleviate pressure on Hamas. Finer suggested that the ceasefire deal actually serves to isolate Hamas further.
The administration's approach appears to be focused on leveraging the momentum generated by the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire to explore opportunities for progress in Gaza and broader regional stability. By refraining from disclosing tactical details, the administration seems intent on strategically navigating the complexities of the situation to achieve their objectives.
