US Officials Doubt Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza Before Biden’s Term Ends

According to The Wall Street Journal, US officials do not ‌expect a ceasefire‌ agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas before President Joe Biden’s term⁢ ends next January.

The report, citing unnamed senior⁤ officials at the‍ White House, State Department, and⁢ Pentagon, highlights the challenges‍ in reaching a ceasefire agreement despite months of ⁣efforts by the US and mediators from Qatar and Egypt.

Recent Developments in the Conflict

Pentagon spokeswoman ⁢Sabrina ⁢Singh stated that the ⁣deal ⁤is not falling apart, despite the lack ⁢of progress in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Gaza’s ‌Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath correspondents ​reported that Israeli helicopters‌ fired heavily at the “Netzarim” axis in the middle of ‌the Strip,​ while Israeli artillery continued to shell the northern area of Rafah city.

Obstacles to a Ceasefire Agreement

Two major obstacles‌ are hindering the progress of a ceasefire agreement: Israel’s request to maintain forces in the Philadelphia (Salah al-Din) axis between Gaza and Egypt, and the details of the exchange of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken ⁣previously stated‌ that 90% of the ceasefire agreement had been reached, but these efforts have failed to bring Israel and Hamas to a final⁤ agreement.

Consequences of the Conflict

The latest bloodshed in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict began‌ on October 7​ when the⁤ Hamas movement attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and detaining nearly 250, according to Israeli figures.

Israel’s subsequent offensive in⁢ Gaza killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, ⁤displaced nearly the⁣ entire Strip’s 2.3 million ⁣population, triggered a hunger crisis, and led to charges of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice.