In a recent government briefing, discussions centered on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, particularly the role of Hamas and the involvement of Qatari partners. Hamas has announced it will not participate in the upcoming ceasefire talks, raising concerns about the potential for progress in the negotiations. A spokesperson emphasized that while they are aware of Hamas's position, they expect the talks to proceed and urged all negotiators to return to the table to finalize a deal, which includes the release of hostages, including American citizens.

The spokesperson reiterated that Qatari partners have assured the U.S. that Hamas will be represented in the discussions, although specific details about the negotiations were not disclosed. The spokesperson declined to elaborate on the sticking points of the ceasefire talks, stating that discussing specifics publicly would not aid the ongoing process.

Additionally, the U.S. remains engaged with regional partners, including Egypt and Qatar, to stress the importance of concluding the deal and to discourage any escalation of conflict. The Secretary of State has been actively communicating with foreign ministers from these countries to reinforce these messages. The situation remains fluid, with the next round of talks set to take place soon, and the U.S. continues to monitor developments closely.