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Inside the secret White House effort to secure the Hamas hostage release on November 22, 2023 at 2:17 am

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

The deal, which includes a pause in the fighting, was structured for women and children and is considered a first phase with an expectation for future releases. Among the 50 hostages being released, three are Americans, including two women and one child who will turn 4 years old on Friday.

Here is a look inside the secret effort by the White House to secure the release of these hostages.

In the days after Oct. 7

Qatari officials approached the White House and the Israelis on the issue of hostages, stressing that it will be a difficult process to get them released from Hamas, according to a senior administration official.

The Qataris asked that a cell, meaning a secret and small group of people, be established to work on the issue with the Israelis. President Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan directed White House adviser Brett McGurk and top adviser Josh Geltzer to establish that cell, the official said.

The cell was treated with extreme sensitivity, and it ended up establishing processes to effectively reach Hamas directly, according to the official. Biden was “directly and personally engaged” in the process, and there was also a team on the ground working on the hostage release, the official said.

Oct. 13

Biden met the families of unaccounted for Americans and hostages via a Zoom call. Every family member spoke and shared their stories, the official said, outlining that one participant said her entire family was either taken or killed on Oct. 7.

Oct. 18

Biden traveled to Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he discussed securing the release of hostages and discussed humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Oct. 23

Working through the cell that was established, American hostages Natalie and Judith Raanan were released. Their release led to a “very intensified process” for a larger release of hostages and around the time, the Israelis delegated authority to negotiate to the director of Mossad, David Barnea, an official said.

Director of the CIA Bill Burns and Barnea began to speak “regularly” about contours of a deal from the Israeli side, an official said. Biden held calls with Netanyahu on this day, as well as the days surrounding it, and discussed hostages on the calls.

Over the following three weeks

The negotiation process turned detailed and technical, including everything from “corridors to surveillance to timeframes and total numbers,” an official said. Talks also included demands on Hamas to produce the list of hostages it was holding, identifying information, and guarantees of release. The communications were difficult because messages had to be passed from Doha, Qatar, to Cairo, Egypt, into Gaza and back.

On Oct. 25, McGurk spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, known as MBAR. After the call, Biden was briefed and said he wanted to speak with MBAR. Staff got Biden on the line immediately, and they had a “pretty extensive discussion,” according to an official. The call took place when the phasing of releases began to take shape, with an emerging agreement to release all women and children in a first phase, together with a commensurate release of Palestinian prisoners from the Israeli side.

The White House agreed with the Israelis, who were insisting at the time that Hamas must ensure all women and children come out in this phase. The White House demanded, through Qatar, that Hamas give proof of life or identifying information for women and children held by Hamas, the official said.

Hamas, as a result, said it could guarantee 50 in the first phase, but refused to produce a full list of identifying criteria. It eventually produced a list of 10, which the White House found insufficient, the official said.

Nov. 9

Burns met in Doha, with MBAR and Barnea to go through the texts of the emerging arrangement, but the key hang-up was Hamas had not clearly identified whom it was holding, according to the official.

A U.S. official confirmed to The Hill that Burns met with the director of the Mossad and Qatari officials in early November.

Nov. 12

Biden called the Amir of Qatar and said the stage that the talks were at “was not enough,” the official said. Biden said he needed identifying information for who was among the hostages Hamas would be releasing in the first phase.

“It was a very important and very intense call about where we stood,” the official said.

Shortly after that call, Hamas produced the identifying criteria for the 50 hostages, which were women and children, it said would be released in the first phase of any deal. An official said, due to the proof of life from Hamas, they are “confident that the 50 are there and will come out.”

Nov. 14

On a call, Biden urged Netanyahu that, because Hamas provided identifying information on the 50 hostages and some assurance on how many others may be held, they take the deal, according to an official. Netanyahu agreed “generally speaking” and the Israeli war cabinet approved of a formula for a deal later that day.

McGurk, who was in Israel, saw Netanyahu that same day. Netanyahu urged Biden, through McGurk, to call the Amir of Qatar on the final terms, an official said.

But, later that day, “everything stalled and communications with Hamas went dark,” the official outlined, meaning that Hamas stopped talking with people in Doha and Cairo who the White House was in touch with. Hamas broke off talks for “various reasons,” an official said.

Nov. 17

Biden, while in San Francisco, called the Amir of Qatar when talks resumed. He told the Amir this was the time that the deal had to close, an official said.

Nov. 18

McGurk met with MBAR in Doha to go over the text of the deal. The Qataris had just received comments from Hamas and they dialed in Burns to the meeting, according to an official. The meeting identified the remaining gaps to the deal, which later became a five to six page detailed text structured on women and children.

Nov. 19

In Cairo, McGurk met with Egypt intel chief Abbas Kamil. During that meeting, they received a message from Hamas “closing the gaps,” an official said.

“It was really at that point that you can, I think for the first time, really see this coming together,” the official described.

After receiving the comments back from Hamas, the White House informed the Israelis, who approved “most of the deal but with some changes,” an official said. Over the following 48 hours, “minor implementation” details were finalized, according to the official.

Nov. 21

The Israelis moved the agreement through their system to approve of it. Once the final agreement was struck, the implementation of it is expected to start within 24 hours.

Laura Kelly contributed to this report.

The deal to release 50 hostages being held by Hamas since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel came together after five weeks of intense negotiations involving the White House and Qatar, as well as Israel and Hamas. The deal, which includes a pause in the fighting, was structured for women and children and is considered…

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

5 days ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

6 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.