President Joe Biden expressed his hope for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza by next Monday as negotiations to stop hostilities and secure the release of captives progressed. Israeli media reported that an Israeli military delegation had flown to Qatar for talks, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, to achieve a cessation of fighting between Israel and Hamas. The aim is to allow aid into Gaza, where 2.3 million people are facing famine, and to exchange captives held by both sides. Biden indicated that he hoped for a truce to take effect within days, ideally by the following Monday.
The US has been urging Israel to agree to a ceasefire soon to prevent further escalation, particularly in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Biden’s remarks may be aimed at putting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire by Monday. This could also be a strategic move to appeal to Arab and Muslim-American voters in Michigan, where discontent with Biden’s support for Israel is palpable.
Biden’s comments followed discussions among representatives from Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and the US in Paris, where they reached an understanding about the terms of a potential ceasefire deal. The talks excluded Hamas, but there are plans for proximity talks involving delegates from Israel and Hamas in Qatar and Cairo. The Emir of Qatar met with Hamas’s political leader to discuss efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while Hamas accused Israel of prolonging the conflict.
Israel has maintained its stance that it will not end the war until Hamas is eliminated, and it plans to continue its assault on Rafah regardless of the ceasefire deal. The conflict, which started when Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel, has resulted in thousands of casualties and the capture of hundreds of individuals. While some captives have been released, many remain in Gaza.