LOC00:01
21:01 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that there is "a lot of progress" has been made in the ongoing Gaza negotiations taking place in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh.
In remarks from Congress, carried by CNN, Rubio said that "a lot of progress today" toward reaching an agreement to end the genocide in Gaza, which has been ongoing for more than two years.
He added that he was "optimistic" about the possible outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh negotiations, noting that he canceled his planned trip to France to remain ready to travel to the Middle East should an agreement be reached between Hamas and the occupying entity.
"We're getting very positive reports, as of an hour ago, I guess it's nightfall over there already, but we feel we've made a lot of progress today, but there's still work to be done, but it's been good, positive reports," he said.
Rubio reaffirmed feeling optimistic that "we're going to get to a deal, hopefully, that hostages will be released, all the hostages, there's good progress being made."
When asked whether the occupying forces would withdraw simultaneously with the release of prisoners, Rubio replied that those details were still being finalized.
Talks and negotiations began several days ago in Egypt aiming to end the genocide, based on a proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump. (end)
asj.onm