US President Joe Biden hopes that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will end soon. The US President said that he hopes that a ceasefire can be reached between Israel and Hamas by next Monday. He acknowledged that both sides are close to a ceasefire agreement. On the question of a ceasefire in Gaza, Biden said, “My national security adviser has told me that we are very close to it and I hope that there will be a ceasefire by next Monday.” He also said that we are close to it but it is not complete yet. It is yet to be finalized.
A meeting was held in Paris regarding the armistice.
A meeting has been held in Paris between the intelligence chiefs of America, Egypt and Israel and the Prime Minister of Qatar regarding the ceasefire. After the meeting, a senior Biden administration official said Hamas was pushing for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, which according to reports is the biggest obstacle to a ceasefire. This big obstacle has been removed. Hamas has softened its stance on the first phase of the deal. Due to which there is hope for a ceasefire.
This agreement will be implemented in several phases
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel will be implemented in several phases. Israel and Hamas to release hostages under six-week ceasefire agreement 40 Israeli hostages will be released by Hamas. Israel will also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in its jails. In addition, some Palestinians will be allowed to return to northern Gaza and humanitarian aid will also be increased. An official statement on the ceasefire has not yet been issued by Hamas and Israel.
134 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody
Earlier, Hamas had rejected the ceasefire proposal. Hamas has demanded a complete halt to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza before any negotiations can take place. However, it is now emerging that they have agreed to a ceasefire of one and a half months. Hamas still claims to hold about 100 Israeli hostages in Gaza. According to Israel, 134 of its hostages are being held hostage by Hamas.