White House says Smotrich 'would sacrifice the lives of Israeli and American' captives 

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby sharply criticised Israeli officials on Friday for opposing a potential ceasefire deal.

Kirby said that such criticism, especially from figures like the far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, jeopardises the lives of captives and contradicts Israel's national security interests.

He rebuked Smotrich's argument that a deal with Hamas would be a surrender, insisting that continuing the war without concern for the hostages is "dead wrong" and misleading to the Israeli public and "would sacrifice the lives of Israeli and American" captives. 

Kirby emphasised that President Joe Biden will not let extremists derail the peace talks.