The Urgency of Negotiations: Biden Prepares Final Offer for Gaza Ceasefire
The recent discovery of the bodies of six hostages reportedly “increased the sense of urgency” among the US President’s top aides. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan informed families of US captives still held in Gaza that Biden will meet with his team to determine the strategy for a final deal to secure the release of hostages and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
One of the bodies found was that of a US citizen, prompting Biden’s aides to push for an agreement as soon as possible. The proposed deal is expected to include a resolution for the Philadelphi Corridor, separating Gaza from Egypt. Israel and Hamas will have a week to respond to the offer, with hopes that Hamas and Egypt will accept it.
Hostilities between Israel and Hamas intensified after the Palestinian militant group attacked southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages. The negotiations have been challenging, with the Philadelphi Corridor being a major point of contention. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas have conflicting stances on troop deployment in the area during a ceasefire.
While the situation remains complex, Biden’s upcoming proposal marks a critical step towards resolving the conflict and securing the release of hostages in Gaza.