Do not undermine Gaza ceasefire deal, warns Biden
U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a warning to all parties involved in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, urging them not to undermine ongoing efforts. He emphasized that the talks are closer than ever to achieving a ceasefire, although a senior Hamas official has expressed skepticism. To continue these negotiations, Biden announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would be sent back to Israel.
This follows a joint proposal by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, aimed at bridging gaps between Israel and Hamas. The past two days of discussions in Qatar have been described as serious and constructive, with technical teams working on implementation details before senior officials meet again in Cairo.
Biden also mentioned his discussions with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, who expressed strong support for the proposal. While Blinken indicated optimism about the negotiations, he refrained from sharing specific details. The timeline for a potential ceasefire remains uncertain.
Despite the positive signs, challenges persist. A senior Hamas figure, who was in contact with Qatari and Egyptian officials but not directly involved in the talks, expressed doubts about the commitment to previous agreements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, acknowledged efforts to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a deal that includes hostage releases.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with more than 40,000 deaths reported since Israel launched its military campaign in response to a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7. A previous deal in November led to the release of 105 hostages by Hamas in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. As of now, 111 hostages are still held by Hamas, 39 of whom are presumed dead.
Biden's proposed ceasefire deal would involve several phases, including a complete six-week ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Subsequent phases would focus on the release of remaining hostages, a permanent end to hostilities, and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel's military operations continue, with new evacuation orders issued in Gaza, further shrinking the humanitarian zone. The situation is further complicated by a severe hunger crisis and the spread of the polio virus in the humanitarian zone, which has led to urgent calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations.
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