Qatar had suggested that a small cell be formed between the US and Israel to work on the hostage issue, Politico reports.

A senior US administration official told reporters in a briefing how the hostage deal crossed the finish line. A second senior administration official provided additional details of the negotiations to Politico. Both were granted anonymity to reveal sensitive and intense diplomatic moments.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan turned to two of his top lieutenants, McGurk and Josh Geltzer, a deputy assistant to the president in the National Security Council. Together, they worked their contacts and the phones to coordinate on how best to strike a deal with Hamas.

The hostage issue became a central component of US President Joe Biden’s multiple phone calls and face-to-face meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “along with pressing Israel to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need and to ensure military operations to root out Hamas in Gaza prioritised civilian safety”.

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