Gaza Ceasefire Deal Nears as US Pushes Hamas, Israel to Bridge Gaps Amid Iran Tensions
Gaza Ceasefire Deal Nears as US Pushes Hamas, Israel to Bridge Gaps Amid Iran Tensions
International mediators are intensifying efforts this week to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, following a “bridging proposal” presented last Friday. High-stakes negotiations in Cairo are expected to continue, with US President Joe Biden expressing optimism that the parties are “closer than we’ve ever been” to an agreement.
The proposal, backed by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, aims to resolve outstanding disagreements. While an Israeli delegation returned from Doha last Friday with cautious optimism, senior Hamas sources indicate they view the new US-backed terms as largely conforming to Israeli conditions and accuse Israel of adding new demands to stall the process. Hamas continues to insist on a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza for any deal to proceed.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel this past weekend to reaffirm Washington’s “iron-clad support” and is expected to continue pressing for a deal. Senior officials from the US, Qatar, and Egypt are slated to reconvene in Cairo before the end of this week, hoping to finalize the agreement.
The urgency for a resolution is heightened by the grim milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza, reached earlier this week, and persistent regional tensions. Concerns remain about a potential Iranian attack against Israel, which could derail the fragile negotiations. President Biden has issued a stern warning to Iran and its proxies against any actions that could undermine peace efforts. The US has deployed significant military resources to the region, ready for “any possible contingency” amid continuous predictions of Iranian reprisal.
Both Israel and Hamas face mounting pressure to demonstrate flexibility. While an agreement is not yet certain, sources close to the talks suggest a deal could potentially be announced mid to late this week as top officials continue to convene.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.