White House says Gaza cease-fire talks haven’t collapsed

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Friday talks on a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas will continue into the weekend, rejecting reports that an agreement was on the verge of collapse.

“We had constructive discussions last night in Cairo, and those discussions are going to continue today,” Kirby told reporters, adding that CIA Director Bill Burns is joining discussions Friday. “So the process is actually moving forward.”

Kirby called it critical that “everybody participate in these talks” as Hamas and Israel each point figures to suggest the other side is disinterested in a cease-fire agreement.

“Early signs in Cairo, and these are early signs, is that the discussions have been constructive,” Kirby said. “But there’s more talks to come here over the course of the weekend.”

Kirby’s comments come as top U.S. officials have spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week as they seek to shepherd a deal toward the finish line.

President Biden spoke with Netanyahu over the phone Wednesday, where he “stressed the urgency of bringing the cease-fire and hostage release deal to closure and discussed upcoming talks in Cairo to remove any remaining obstacles.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had met with Netanyahu for three hours Monday and emerged saying Netanyahu had agreed to a U.S.-led proposal to close gaps between Israel and Hamas on the deal. Blinken put the onus on Hamas to accept the proposal. 

Netanyahu has reportedly frustrated efforts by the Biden administration to conclude a cease-fire deal, with the Israeli leader backtracking on promises to draw down Israel’s military presence along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.