U.S. President Joe Biden and Jordan’s King Abdullah are maintaining pressure for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as senior mediators plan to resume work on an Israel-Hamas truce agreement. Talks are set to resume in Cairo involving officials from the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, aiming for a three-phase framework to release hostages and achieve an extended pause in hostilities.
President Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the United States is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas to bring immediate calm to Gaza for at least six weeks. King Abdullah echoed this urgency, stressing the need for a lasting ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict, especially for the more than one million civilians seeking refuge in Rafah, southern Gaza.
Israel conducted a rescue mission freeing two Israeli-Argentine hostages held by Hamas militants in Rafah. The operation came after Hamas raided Israel on October 7, seizing 250 people. However, casualties during the Israeli military operation are disputed, with the Palestinian Authority reporting 74 deaths.
President Biden expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to minimize civilian casualties. He demanded that Israel refrain from a ground offensive in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians, many of whom are already displaced.
The United Nations intensified calls for a ceasefire and opposed the idea of moving civilians in Rafah, highlighting the dangers of displacement in an area filled with unexploded ordnance. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggested reducing civilian casualties by halting arms supplies to Israel.
Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ latest ceasefire offer, which proposed a 4-1/2 month truce, the release of hostages, and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. This offer followed a proposal delivered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators based on earlier discussions between U.S. and Israeli officials.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stated that Hamas had shown flexibility in ceasefire talks, but Israel’s actions were stalling progress. The situation remains tense as efforts for a ceasefire continue amidst the looming threat of further violence.
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