US President Joe Biden hopes for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict by next Monday. He said this while eating ice cream on February 26 with the comedian Seth Meyers in New York City. The comedian asked him if he had any idea when the ceasefire might begin.
Responding to that, Biden stated,
Well I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend. 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.
Hamas previously withdrew some of the main demands in the negotiations for the hostage release and the Gaza war ceasefire after Israel’s accusations that Hamas’ position was crazy. According to some reports, both sides have come to a mutual agreement that would result in a ceasefire along with the release of Israeli hostages.
CNN reported after a meeting held last Friday between the US, Egyptian, and Israeli intelligence chiefs and the Qatari prime minister in Paris. A senior Biden administration official stated,
The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war. Hamas’ requirements for the numbers of Palestinians [prisoners that] would have to be freed has declined.
Reportedly, the agreements made during the negotiations will be implemented in many steps. Hamas has agreed to release Israeli hostages, including women, children, the elderly, and the sick, in exchange for fewer Palestinian prisoners than it initially demanded. However, it is predicted to involve more complexities as more sensitive issues, such as the release of male Israeli defense soldiers, will be discussed during the ceasefire.
Leaders from Israel made it clear that they want to launch a military invasion after Hamas asked for a second phase of discussion to talk about
the requirements necessary for the continuation of the mutual cessation of military operations.
