Joe Biden says Gaza ceasefire deal is in the hands of Hamas Group as Ramadan nears

Washington: US President Joe Biden expressed on Tuesday that the fate of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, along with the release of Israeli hostages, lies in the hands of Hamas. Despite ongoing discussions, there has been no breakthrough as delegations engage in their third day of talks. Negotiators from Hamas, Qatar, and Egypt are currently in Cairo, working towards securing a 40-day ceasefire between Hamas and Israel before the commencement of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan next week.

The proposed deal to Hamas includes the release of some hostages taken during the October attack that initiated the conflict, an increase in aid to Gaza to prevent famine, especially among malnourished children, and the provision of a comprehensive list of all hostages held in Gaza. However, Hamas officials in Beirut, including Osama Hamdan, reiterated the group’s key demands, which include an immediate halt to the Israeli military offensive, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the return of displaced Gazans to their homes.

Hamas insists that any prisoner exchange must occur post-ceasefire as they view the ceasefire as a critical step towards resolving the conflict. On the other hand, Israel is primarily focused on a temporary pause in hostilities to evacuate hostages from Gaza and deliver additional aid. Israel maintains that the conflict will not cease until Hamas is no longer a threat.