Biden names date of Israel-Hamas ceasefire within days - and says 'we're close'
Joe Biden told reporters he's hoping for a ceasefire/hostage deal in the war between Israel and Hamas by as early as next Monday in a surprise announcement.
As Biden stopped for ice cream in New York City with TV host Seth Myers, he told reporters that he understands that a ceasefire/hostage deal is "close" in the Israel-Hamas war, which is on its 144th day. The president said he "hopes" to see a deal by next Monday.
“Well I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend," began Biden. "My national security adviser tells me that we’re close, we’re close, it’s not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire," said the President.
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US President Joe Biden speaks to other customers at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (AFP via Getty Images)While Biden is hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon, the Times of Israel reported that there is "mounting pessimism among senior Israeli officials regarding the prospects of a hostage release deal with Hamas, as the terror group appeared to signal it would not accept the latest proposal following talks between Israel and international mediators."
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Israeli, American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators are currently gathered in Paris to try and work out an agreement that will likely resemble the last one, where hostages will be released in exchange for prisoners.
The last set of talks failed after Hamas rejected several proposals. Then Hamas put forth a proposal with demands that Israel fully pull out of all territories, among other stipulations, which was then, in turn, rejected by Israeli officials.
Biden said over ice-cream that he's hoping for a breakthrough in the peace talks currently happening in Paris (AFP via Getty Images)However, "The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and end to the war," a senior Biden administration official told CNN following a recent meeting.
"Hamas’ requirements for the numbers of Palestinians [prisoners that] would have to be freed has declined," the official added.
Various members of the Israeli government, including Benjamin Netanyahu, the PM, have stated that an end to the war is only possible with a complete hostage release deal and the full, unconditional, surrender of Hamas.
Many are hoping for a resolution soon, as the war has reached its 144th day (AFP via Getty Images)The route to a ceasefire deal is especially vital as the situation in Rafah has sparked global concern. With over 2.5 million sheltering in this tiny region, Netanyahu has warned of the coming ground offensive, which he claims will "end the war in weeks."
Early Monday, the IDF had presented to the War Cabinet its operational plan for Rafah as well as plans to evacuate civilians from the battle zones.
Also Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh submitted his government’s resignation, and President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to appoint technocrats in line with U.S. demands for internal reform.
The U.S. has called for a revitalised Palestinian Authority to govern postwar Gaza ahead of eventual statehood — a scenario rejected by Israel, who claims that the group is unpopular and will not be the right one to rule over Gaza.
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