Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas Nearing Completion
A senior American official expressed optimism that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is near its final stages. Ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official mentioned that some manageable gaps still exist and both leaders will work to resolve them.
The initial phase of the agreement is expected to involve the release of certain categories of hostages from Hamas’ captivity over a 42-day period. Progress has been made, with Israel showing readiness to move forward, but some details are still pending.
The official highlighted the importance of a detailed outline for a hostage exchange, emphasizing benefits for Gaza residents and humanitarian aid. The upcoming meeting between Biden and Netanyahu will also cover other Middle East developments and emphasize U.S. support for Israel’s security.
Netanyahu, after addressing Congress, outlined goals for the conflict, including ensuring Gaza’s non-threat to Israel and addressing the Iranian menace. Additionally, he proposed a regional defense alliance similar to NATO to counter Iran’s influence in the region.