Several political circles were optimistic about the possibility of concluding an imminent hostage swap deal, under which a large number of American and dual-national hostages would be released, in exchange for providing fuel to Gaza’s hospitals, increasing the number of humanitarian aid trucks, and opening the Rafah crossing for the stranded.
According to Axios, an American news website, Israeli and US officials pointed to the potential release of 80 women and children detained by Hamas, in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.
This news comes in line with statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to NBC News, in which he said that a deal with Hamas might be imminent.
Meanwhile, observers are awaiting the visit of Brett McGurk - a senior advisor to US President Joe Biden - to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, which aims at achieving three decisive goals: first, to secure the completion of the hostage release deal; second, to pave the way for a longer humanitarian truce in Gaza, and third, to prevent the outbreak of a regional war.
McGurk is seen as Biden’s strong man on difficult issues in the Middle East. He is a well-known figure in American political circles, and he participated with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during the past weeks in efforts to release the hostages held by Hamas. He was also present within the US National Security team in every call Biden made with Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials.
McGurk has been involved in politics since the era of former US President George Bush, and also during the eight years of President Barack Obama and the tenure of President Donald Trump. Under Biden, he assumed the position of Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs in the National Security Council.
His close relationship with Biden began during Obama’s tenure, when he was in charge of the Iraqi file. He assumed the position of US ambassador to Baghdad from 2012 to 2015, then became the special presidential envoy for the US-led global coalition to confront ISIS.
In this “sensitive” position, McGurk made dozens of trips to countries in the region, especially to Syria, Iraq, and the Gulf states. He was responsible for coordinating the joint effort against ISIS and directing some intelligence operations.
The US diplomat strongly supported the opinion in favor of maintaining an American military presence in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq, to confront the potential re-emergence of ISIS and also to counter the growing Iranian influence. He also supported the idea of an alliance between the American and Kurdish forces, despite Ankara’s anger at this rapprochement.
McGurk’s role was clearly demonstrated in managing the US administration’s relations with Middle Eastern countries, especially in the discussions and deliberations that took place in preparation for Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia last year, and in bringing viewpoints closer and restoring warmth to relations between the two countries.
