Israelis rally for the release of hostages held in Gaza, at the Knesset on March 4, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.)
March 5. US backs Israel’s ‘legitimate’ demand that Hamas present list of living hostages.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says Washington supports Israel’s demand that Hamas present a list of the living hostages it is prepared to release in order to move forward with the negotiations.
Hamas has said it doesn’t know where all the hostages are, but Miller is largely dismissive of the claim.
“They took these hostages, they continue to hold them. If they continue to hold them, they must know where they are,” Miller says during a press briefing.
“If you are Israel, and you are in discussions about an agreement where you would see the return of a certain number hostages, it is a fair question to Hamas to show you that they can actually deliver on that deal, show you who those hostages are and confirm that they are alive,” the spokesman continues.
“We think that is very much a legitimate request by the State of Israel.”
