U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that he hopes a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would pause hostilities and allow for the remaining hostages to be released can take effect by early next week.
Asked when he hoped such a deal could be finalized, Biden said: “Well I hope by the beginning of the weekend. The end of the weekend. My national security adviser tells me that they’re close. They’re close. They’re not done yet. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Sunday that an Israeli military offensive in the southernmost city of Rafah could be “delayed somewhat” if a deal for a weekslong ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is reached. He claims that total victory in Gaza is “weeks away” once the offensive begins.
Talks toward a deal have resumed at the specialist level in Qatar, which is one of the mediators.
More to come…
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