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President Biden has announced a new initiative that calls on Hamas to accept Israel’s proposal for releasing hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza, noting it as the optimal path to de-escalate the ongoing war.
In a statement at the White House, President Biden said, “With a ceasefire, that aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it. As someone who’s had a lifelong commitment to Israel, as the only American president who has ever gone to Israel at a time of war, as someone who just sent the US forces to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to take a step back, think what will happen if this moment is lost. We can’t lose this moment.”
Earlier this year, a similar proposal suggested the release of sick, elderly, and wounded hostages in Gaza for a six-week ceasefire, potentially extendable for more humanitarian aid deliveries. However, the deal collapsed when Israel intensified its offensive on Rafah, rejecting a permanent war cessation.
On Thursday, Hamas communicated to mediators its refusal to negotiate further amid ongoing raids but expressed willingness for a comprehensive agreement, including a hostages-prisoners exchange if Israel ceases its military operations. Negotiations facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and other nations have faced repeated setbacks, with both parties attributing the lack of progress to the other side.
According to various news outlets citing an anonymous source, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan would meet diplomats from 17 countries with citizens held hostage in Gaza.
Despite the intensifying conflict, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby confirmed on Tuesday that Israel’s recent ground operations would not affect the US commitment to providing military aid. According to Palestinian health authorities, there have been over 36,280 deaths in Gaza since Israel’s retaliatory strikes following the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 200 people being kidnapped.
