In an interview with Deutsche Welle on Thursday that was published on Friday, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby was asked whether the world would be better off without Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and said “it’s important that we focus on getting a ceasefire done” and that “the Middle East would be a better place” if that were to happen.
asked DW Washington bureau chief Inez Paul. [relevant exchange begins around 3:00] “Of course, there is another major conflict going on in the Middle East. Is it correct that the US was not informed about the killing of a Hamas leader in Iran?”
Kirby responded: “We had absolutely no involvement in this and no prior knowledge.”
Paul then asked: “Do you think the world would be a better place without him?”
Kirby responded, “I think it’s important to focus on getting a ceasefire. You know what will make the Middle East better? Get a ceasefire, get six weeks of peace in the first phase, release the other hostages, men and women, release the hostages who need to go home to their families, including Americans, and the Middle East will be better.”
Kirby added that Hamas has refused to agree to the agreement and that they need to, that President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “know how to work together” and make decisions that are best for American and Israeli national security, and that “Israel is an ally, a partner and a friend.”
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