Kirby's Sharp Rebuke: Smotrich's Comments on Ceasefire Deal 'Dead Wrong'

In a stern rebuke, John Kirby, the spokesman for the US National Security Council, criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's comments undermining a proposed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Kirby called Smotrich's remarks 'dead wrong' and 'misleading the Israeli public. ' Smotrich had previously referred to the deal as a 'surrender deal' on social media platform X. The proposed ceasefire talks are set to resume on August 15 in Doha or Cairo, with Israel confirming its participation, while Hamas has yet to publicly commit. The rebuke comes amidst the threat of retaliatory strikes against Israel following the assassinations of high-profile military and political leaders in Lebanon and Iran. Kirby emphasized that Smotrich's rhetoric would 'sacrifice the lives of Israeli hostages' and contradicts Israel's national security interests. The US has been actively lobbying its allies in the region for peace, with President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaging in diplomatic