During a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked about the killings of American citizens in the occupied West Bank and Syria.
00:00Just to go back to your conversation with the Secretary, I understand that's what you said, Gaza area, but can we at least say, Steve Whitcoff is going to the Middle East right now, as we speak? Gaza area is a little bit of a Middle East.
00:16Again, based on the specifics, and I'm sure we have an incredible team that works with Special Envoy Whitcoff here in the building, are probably now grabbing the television and watching and saying, so I don't have the specifics of exactly where he'll be, but clearly it's in a position where he's going to be able to continue with the negotiations that will lead us to this, hopefully, ceasefire.
00:43Right, and you also said that one of the things that the Secretary indicated, an aid corridor that needs to be set up that both sides have agreed to, so is the United States basically negotiating for an aid corridor that is going to include other humanitarian implementers like the UN and others?
01:02Well, you know, you're asking for so much, and I appreciate that about you, because you're always a few steps ahead. That would require speculation on my part. It would require guessing on your part. What I know is what I said to you based on what the Secretary said to me.
01:15And the final, one more thing.
01:16All right, one more.
01:17In your answer to Nadia, are you actually confirming that this meeting is happening with U.S. envoy Tom Barak and officials from Israel and Syria, and can you tell us where it's happening?
01:27No, I can't confirm any of that. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.
01:31Thanks, Tammy. Going back to the American who was murdered in the West Bank, the President last week indicated there would be a meeting in which the Israeli government would give more information to the U.S. about his murder.
01:41Did that meeting take place, and what else can you tell us about that?
01:45There's not, unfortunately, there's not a great deal. I can talk to you about the family and the nature of the conversations. Of course, we have confirmed the situation with his death, but the conversations or what has transpired at this point is not something that I'm able to share.
02:14And then another American was murdered in Syria last week. His family says that he was murdered by officials with the interim Syrian government. Is the U.S. planning to hold them accountable for this death?
02:27Well, again, you're saying something here that everyone hears. That is not something that I would confirm or would know or would say is a matter of fact, because a reporter says it here in the room.
02:39We do, we can say, of course, that Secretary Rubio has emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of U.S. citizens.
02:49We can confirm the death of, and this is the Suweda region, what we're discussing, of Syria last week, of U.S. citizen Hossam Saraya.
02:59We offer condolences to the family on their loss. We are providing consular assistance to them, but in the midst of the further conversations, I can't give you any more details except what we've already discussed.
