US President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that he does not expect a cease-fire and hostage release deal for Gaza to be reached in the near future, emphasizing that Hamas needs to align more closely with Israel’s US-backed proposal.
Speaking at a Group of Seven summit in Italy, Biden addressed the cease-fire discussions, responding “No” when asked if a truce deal would be reached soon. He added, “I haven’t lost hope, but it’s going to be tough.” Biden stressed that “Hamas has… to move.”
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden elaborated that Hamas was hindering progress towards a deal. “I’ve laid out an approach endorsed by the UN Security Council, the G7, the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on, even though they have submitted something similar,” he said.
Negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been attempting for months to mediate a cease-fire and secure the release of more than 100 hostages taken by Hamas in October, who are believed to remain in Gaza.
