The latest developments in the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages have taken on an urgent dimension following the discovery of the bodies of six Hamas hostages by Israeli forces.
In this context, according to the Washington Post, the Biden administration, in collaboration with Egypt and Qatar, is working intensively to finalize a ‘take it or leave it’ proposal that will be presented to the involved parties in the coming weeks.
If the two sides fail to accept the proposal, it could signal the end of U.S. mediation efforts. Despite the concern raised by the discovery of the six bodies, U.S. officials believe this tragic event may add further pressure to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.
Israeli forces announced that the hostages were executed shortly before being found in a tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah. According to U.S. assessments, the six hostages were shot in the head by their captors, indicating that the discovery of their bodies was not random but part of a broader plan.
Biden and his top aides, including CIA Director William Burns and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have invested significant time and effort in bringing Israel and Hamas to an agreement. This proposal could include the release of the remaining living hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and the implementation of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.
Within Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing pressure and anger from the families of the hostages, who demand decisions for the return of their loved ones. Thousands of protesters flooded the streets on Sunday, and Israel’s largest labor union has called for a general strike, threatening to paralyze the country if Netanyahu does not agree with Hamas.
Former U.S. diplomat Dennis Ross commented that Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar in Gaza is unlikely to change his stance, as there is no one to exert pressure on him. However, the increasing pressure within Israel might force Netanyahu to take negotiations more seriously.
Finally, Hamas has blamed Israeli bombings for the deaths of the hostages and has called on President Biden to stop supporting Israel with money and weapons, demanding that he pressure an end to Israeli aggression.
Biden and Harris to Meet with U.S. Negotiators for Gaza Ceasefire
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Joe Biden is expected to meet today with U.S. negotiators working on the release of hostages in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The meeting will take place at the White House, with Vice President Kamala Harris, who will be running for president in November, also participating.
The announcement for the meeting states that Biden and Harris will meet with the “American team negotiating a deal for the hostages following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Pollin and the other five hostages by Hamas and will discuss efforts to secure an agreement that ensures the release of the remaining hostages.”
