The White House on Monday blasted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for not publicly addressing reports that the militant group in charge of Gaza has agreed to a ceasefire with Israel.
National security spokesperson John Kirby grew heated and repeatedly rapped on a lectern as he was peppered with questions about the reported deal during an afternoon news briefing in Washington, D.C.
"You know who hasn't answered a single question about his intentions and what games he might be playing or where he might be taking this? Mr. Sinwar, the head of Hamas," Kirby said. "And I think it's — I think it's high time that he answers some of these questions and he come clean about what his intentions are."
Kirby said the U.S. was still largely in the dark about Hamas' position, saying, "All I know is we've got a response."
CIA Director William Burns is "talking to the Israelis about it and we'll see where it goes," Kirby said.
"Hopefully — hopefully — whatever is in this thing, hopefully, it can lead to those hostages getting out real, real soon, with their families, where they need to be," he said. "And as each new — as each day passes, their lives get further at risk. So time is really of the essence here."
Hamas is believed to be holding about 130 hostages it kidnapped on Oct. 7, when it attacked Israel and killed about 1,200 people.
The violence sparked the latest war between Israel and Hamas, in which 34,500 Palestinians have been reportedly been killed in Gaza.
