Roger Carston's work over the last five years as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs has led to the release of a number of Americans held by countries like Venezuela and Iran.

It was also part of a team that negotiated Britney Griner's freedom, as well as a complex multi-country deal that led to the release of Evan Gershkovich, also Kermasheva,

and Paul Whelan from Russia.

Karstens is leaving his job in the coming days, and he joins us now.

Ambassador, welcome back.

Thanks for being here.

Thank you very much for having me.

So in the Middle East, in particular, this is obviously a multi-agency effort to not only

negotiate a ceasefire, but secure the release of the hostages, including seven Americans.

We understand.

The president said earlier today a deal is close, possibly this week.

Has either party, Israel or Hamas, taken this deal?

Do you see it happening this week?

I think you always have to be optimistic in

these cases. You have to want to get to that end and hopefully that informs the negotiation.

It's hard to tell whether these sides are going to narrow the gap that's been between them

in main part because we've been close before and have never been quite able to do it.

You know, obviously we remain hopeful. I've had a chance to talk to the families about this.

I mean, their hearts are breaking.

They can see how close the deal might be.

I was just in Israel last week, meeting with my counterparts in the Israeli government, as

well as other nations who have, I would say, entities like mine, Speja-like entities.

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