Biden hails ceasefire progress

United States President Joe Biden says Israel has agreed to pause fighting in Gaza during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in two weeks, but Israel and Hamas both sought to downplay any progress toward a deal yesterday.

Biden, who in recent weeks has dispatched top officials to the Middle East and Europe to push for a ceasefire, said he hoped such a pause could start as soon as next week. In a surprise appearance on late-night TV, however, Biden appeared to pre-empt Israeli officials on the timeline.

“There’s been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan … in order to give us time to get all the hostages out,” Biden said on the talkshow Late Night With Seth Meyers.

A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on Biden’s remarks.

In recent days, Israel has signaled a willingness to engage more seriously on efforts led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to reach a weeks-long ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of many of the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in the enclave.

Netanyahu said “we’re there” on the terms of a deal but that Hamas continues to make “outlandish demands”.

Israeli officials have made clear that any deal that emerges from the ongoing talks will not end the war.

The sides are discussing a proposal for a weeks-long pause in fighting that would allow the release of 35 to 40 Israeli hostages, an Israeli official told The Post. In exchange, according to a former Egyptian official with knowledge of the negotiations, Israel would release about 400 Palestinian prisoners, or roughly 10 prisoners for each hostage. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss delicate talks.

Israel wants female soldiers to be among the 35 to 40 hostages to be released, but Hamas plans to hold on to them as bargaining chips for a subsequent deal, the former Egyptian official said.

Hamas has asked for Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and the United Nations to guarantee any deal so that Israel does not resume attacks as soon as the hostages are handed over. – Washington Post