US President Joe Biden announced on Monday that a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, which would include the release of hostages, is close to being finalized.
The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in devastating casualties, with over 46,000 Palestinians and 408 Israeli soldiers killed since the conflict began.
Speaking at the State Department, Biden expressed hope for a breakthrough. “In the war between Israel and Hamas, we’re on the brink of a proposal I laid out months ago finally coming to fruition,” he said.
International mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been intensifying efforts to broker a truce.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hinted at the possibility of a deal being finalized this week, though he stopped short of confirming a timeline.
Sources close to the negotiations in Doha reported “significant progress” on key sticking points, leading to a new “concrete” proposal. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed Israel’s eagerness to secure a deal, while a Palestinian official described the current talks as the most serious yet.
Despite the optimism, internal divisions in Israel’s government threaten to derail the agreement.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has voiced staunch opposition, calling the proposed truce a threat to national security.
“We will not be part of a surrender deal that involves releasing dangerous terrorists, halting the war, and abandoning hostages still in captivity,” Smotrich said.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is believed to have enough support in his cabinet to push the deal through, even without Smotrich’s backing.
While negotiations continue, Gaza faces relentless airstrikes. On Monday, over 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza City, with hospitals overwhelmed by the wounded. “They bombed schools, homes, and gatherings of people,” Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defense agency, Said.
As the world watches, hopes for a ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian catastrophe hang in the balance.