US President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that the ceasefire and hostage release deal proposed earlier this year between Israel and Hamas remains a viable option. Despite Hamas’s announcement that it would not be sending a delegation to upcoming talks, Israeli security sources are cautiously hopeful that an agreement can be finalized and implemented in the near future. Negotiations are set to resume on Thursday.
Biden expressed optimism about the deal’s potential to end the fighting and facilitate the release of 115 hostages held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza. He emphasized his commitment to preventing the conflict from escalating into a regional war, highlighting ongoing efforts by his team to avoid further escalation.
In parallel, the US is working to deter Iran from retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31. The assassination has yet to be confirmed by Israel.
US, Qatar, and Egypt officials urged for the deal to be concluded without further delay. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israeli negotiators will attend the August 15 talks to finalize the agreement’s implementation details.
Hamas, however, declared that it would not be sending representatives to the talks, instead demanding that mediators present a plan based on previous agreements. The group criticized new negotiations as a potential cover for what they describe as Israel’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians.
Despite these challenges, some Israeli sources believe progress is being made and that an agreement might be reached soon, provided both Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar demonstrate the necessary flexibility. Disputes over border arrangements and the release of prisoners remain significant hurdles, but recent reports suggest that these issues might be resolved in the upcoming discussions.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s attack on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking. Progress on the deal is viewed as critical, with some sources suggesting it may be the last opportunity to reach an agreement before the situation potentially worsens.
