Biden Hopes for Ceasefire by Monday Amid Israel-Hamas Negotiations

United States President Joe Biden has expressed his hope to see a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by next Monday, as negotiations to end the devastating war and secure the release of captives gain momentum. Biden's announcement, made in New York on Monday, coincided with reports from Israeli media that an Israeli military delegation had traveled to Qatar for discussions. The ongoing negotiations, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, aim to establish a temporary halt in hostilities between Israel and Hamas to allow much-needed aid to reach Gaza. The United Nations has warned that approximately 2.3 million people in Gaza are teetering on the edge of famine. Additionally, the proposed ceasefire could enable the release of dozens of captives held by Hamas in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. When questioned about the anticipated timeline for a ceasefire, Biden responded optimistically, stating, "My hope is by next Monday we'll have a ceasefire." The pressure on Israel to agree to a truce swiftly has intensified in recent days, as fears mount over a potential Israeli assault on Rafah in southern Gaza, where a substantial number of displaced individuals have sought refuge. Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane suggested that Biden's remarks may serve as a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the urgency of reaching a ceasefire agreement by Monday to avert further escalation. Furthermore, the timing of Biden's comments could be strategic, with Michigan holding its presidential primaries on Tuesday. Biden's stance on the conflict has drawn criticism from Arab- and Muslim-American voters in the state, who have expressed discontent with his support for Israel. The discussions towards a ceasefire were previously addressed over the weekend in Paris, where representatives from Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and the US deliberated on the terms of a potential agreement. However, Hamas was not directly involved in the talks in Paris. Subsequent proximity talks involving delegates from Israel and Hamas are anticipated to take place in Qatar and Cairo. In Qatar, the country's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh to discuss efforts towards achieving an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. Haniyeh welcomed the mediators' initiatives to end the conflict, criticizing Israel for prolonging the suffering of Gazans under siege. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Israel has maintained its stance that the war will persist until Hamas is eliminated, indicating that the planned assault on Rafah would proceed regardless of a ceasefire agreement. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with thousands of Palestinians and Israelis killed since the violence escalated. The release of captives remains a critical factor in the negotiations as efforts continue to secure a ceasefire and bring relief to the war-torn region.