US still working with counterparts to secure release of hostages
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. is still having "intensive discussions" with "Israel, Qatar and Egypt about how to best get traction on a strategy that will get all the hostages out."
![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/6be4783e-a409-43c9-a015-01f9643f117b/israel-gaza-18-rt-231130_1701368207377_hpMain.jpg)
“The President and I, along with Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken and [CIA] Director [William] Burns, will stay in touch with our Israeli and Qatari counterparts, as well as our Egyptian counterparts, to press Hamas on this issue," Sullivan said. "Right now, Hamas is refusing to release civilian women who should have been part of the agreement. And it is that refusal by Hamas that has caused the end of the hostage agreement, and therefore, the end of the pause in hostilities."
Over 100 people remain hostage in Gaza. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Sunday the U.S. thinks "about eight" Americans remain hostage.
"Of course, for the United States, the paramount priority is getting the American hostages out and we are talking to the president about all of his options in terms of securing the release of American hostages," Sullivan said. "Beyond that, I'm not going to comment because we need to be able to have those sensitive, diplomatic discussions behind closed doors."
![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/772a47cb-33ad-4a0f-b83d-f18a30637028/israel-gaza-10-rt-gmh-231129_1701293541089_hpMain.jpg)
-ABC News' Molly Nagle