US State Dept, on hostage deal, says it is not final but we are close

US State Dept, on hostage deal, says it is not final but we are close
Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A hostage deal with Hamas was close but not final, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday, adding the delivery of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people was not contingent on a hostage deal.

Miller told reporters it has been clear for some time that the release of hostages would unlock the potential for the delivery of more humanitarian aid.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Jasper Ward and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Chris Reese)

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