ALBAWABA — According to the White House on Monday, the US Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, will travel to Saudi Arabia this week to push for a ceasefire deal in Gaza, similar to the one in the making for the war in Lebanon.
Brett McGurk is scheduled to visit the Kingdom on Tuesday, "where he will discuss using the potential of a cease-fire deal in Lebanon as a catalyst for a potential cease-fire in Gaza and for the return of hostages and for increased stability in the region," spokesperson Andy Bates informed reporters.
While acknowledging "significant progress" in efforts to mediate a cease-fire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the White House previously stated that more work needs to be done before a deal can be finalized.
National Security Council spokesperson spoke to Anadolu news agency on condition of anonymity saying that significant progress has been made, however, negotiators have yet to reach the final step.
"We continue to work to reach a diplomatic resolution to allow civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to be able to safely return to their homes,” he added, referring to the de facto Israeli-Lebanese border.
After US envoy Amos Hochstein returned to Washington after his most recent round of mediation between Israel and Lebanon, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby then stated that the White House feels "the trajectory" of the discussions "is going in the right direction".
The agreement "is not done," Kirby said, but he refused to comment on any particular elements of the incomplete accord "so that I don't in any way sabotage the efforts to actually complete it".
The White House's remarks follow several claims in Israeli media that a cease-fire agreement would be revealed in the next two days.
According to an Israeli source quoted by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consented to a cease-fire with Lebanon that is supported by the United States.
