Biden administration officials signaled that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire agreement in exchange for the return of its hostages, in a recent development in the Israel-Hamas war.
By BARAK RAVID, REUTERSMARCH 2, 2024 19:20Updated: MARCH 2, 2024 22:43
A senior figure in the American government said on Saturday evening that Israel had agreed to a deal wherein the hostages held by Hamas would be released and a ceasefire would be implemented.
“In order to address the humanitarian needs of the population in Gaza to the necessary extent, there needs to be a ceasefire,” the official said. “The way to a ceasefire at the moment is to reach a deal for the release of the captives.
“The Israelis have agreed to the terms of the deal,” he continued. “If Hamas agrees to the terms and agrees to release the captives, a six-week ceasefire will begin immediately. This deal is on the table. Talks are ongoing with Hamas in Qatar, and we hope to reach an agreement by Ramadan. The ball is in Hamas’s court. We continue to push this as hard as we can.”
Washington’s immediate goal in reaching a deal
As part of the ongoing negotiations to see a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday will meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany February 16, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/KAI PFAFFENBACH)
Washington seeks to reach a deal for a temporary ceasefire and increase the flow of aid to Gaza.
The talks, first reported by Reuters, are expected to span topics including reducing Palestinian civilian casualties, securing a temporary ceasefire, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and increasing aid to the territory, a White House official said.
“The Vice President will express her concern over the safety of the as many as 1.5 million people in Rafah,” the official said, adding that Israel also had a “right to defend itself in the face of continued Hamas terrorist threats.”
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-789889.