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Source: https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/sotu/date/2023-11-26/segment/01
U.S. Confirms Red Cross Visits to Hostages Are Part of Truce Deal
(CNN) Dana Bash - U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. Q: Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the Red Cross would be allowed to visit hostages still being held by Hamas to ascertain their status. Sullivan: "That is part of the deal. We expect it will happen....We do believe that Hamas is obliged to maintain its part of the commitment on Red Cross visitation of the hostages. And we expect Qatar and Egypt and other countries to hold Hamas accountable to fulfill that commitment by the end of tomorrow [Monday]." "Israel has already agreed that it will continue to pause fighting day by day after the end of the four days, as long as Hamas keeps releasing hostages. So, the ball is really in Hamas' court. If Hamas wants to see an extension of the pause in fighting, it can continue to release hostages. If it chooses not to release hostages, then the end of the pause is its responsibility, not Israel's, because it is holding these hostages completely illegitimately and against all bounds of human decency or the laws of war." "President Biden has been clear that Israel has a right, indeed, a responsibility, to defend itself against an implacable terrorist foe that continues to go out and say that it intends to attack Israel, continues to launch rockets...and continues to indicate that it will not stop representing a direct physical threat to the people in the State of Israel."