Israel-Hamas‌ Ceasefire Agreement Unlikely Before Biden’s Term Ends

According to senior White House, State Department, and Defense officials, a‍ ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal​ between Israel and Hamas is unlikely ​to⁢ be reached before President ​Joe Biden’s ⁢term ends next January.

The officials cited by The Wall Street Journal stated‌ that a ​major sticking point is the​ percentage of Palestinian prisoners Israel must release in order to return Israeli prisoners.

Recent attacks ⁤on Hezbollah and‌ Israeli airstrikes have ​made an all-out war more likely, ⁢complicating ⁤diplomatic efforts with ‍Hamas.

A New Proposal from Israel

Israeli radio reported that‌ Israel is preparing a new proposal for a deal on the ⁣Gaza Strip, which would include the return of ⁢all prisoners at once.

The proposal ‌would also ⁤include the​ return of all prisoners in exchange for ​Yahya al-Sinwar (Hamas’ political bureau chief)‌ and others exiting Gaza through a safe‍ corridor.

The proposal calls for an end to the fighting and the release of Palestinian⁣ prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ‍Netanyahu may introduce ⁤the new proposal‍ in a⁣ speech before the United⁢ Nations General Assembly within days.

Problems that Need ⁢to be Solved

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed‌ that the US has made progress on a ceasefire agreement⁣ in the Gaza Strip, with 15 out of 18 items in the ‌proposed agreement having been agreed.

However, remaining issues⁣ need to be resolved, and Washington has presented ideas to the Qatari⁢ and Egyptian sides to resolve outstanding issues.

Blinken ⁣stressed that the⁢ agreement ​requires political will from both ‌sides of the​ conflict‍ to reach a ceasefire, return prisoners to⁤ their​ homes, and open important horizons for pacifying hotbeds.

Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing the Gaza war has stalled episodes of indirect talks ‍between Israel and Hamas for over 10 months.

Despite⁢ Israeli obstruction, Egypt continues to⁢ mediate alongside Qatar and the United States to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and end prisoner exchanges ‍between the two sides.

Families of Israeli ‌prisoners continued their protests to demand a ceasefire agreement and an​ exchange deal, ‌with hundreds of Israeli prisoners’​ families⁤ protesting in front of the Defense ⁤Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv.