Biden: We are closer to a 'ceasefire agreement' in Gaza than ever before

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Friday that we are closer to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza than ever before, but the negotiating parties have not yet reached an agreement. The President stated to reporters at the White House that achieving a ceasefire is much more likely than it was three days ago, so there is still reason to remain hopeful. His remarks came just hours after Washington, with the support of Egypt and Qatar, presented a new proposal based on Biden's plan from June and UN Security Council Resolution 2735 to establish a ceasefire and the return of hostages. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement on Friday, August 16, referring to the intensive discussions among senior officials from the three countries over the past 48 hours in Doha aimed at establishing a ceasefire and the release of all hostages and detainees, describing these talks as 'serious' and 'constructive' conducted in a 'positive atmosphere.' According to the statement, the United States, with the support of Egypt and Qatar, presented a proposal to Israel and Hamas that aligns with the principles of Biden's proposed plan on June 1 and UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The joint statement further noted that the proposal is based on the principles of agreements reached by all parties over the past week and addresses the remaining gaps in the rapid implementation of the agreement. Working teams will focus in the coming days on the technical details of implementing the agreement, including arrangements for its humanitarian provisions and details regarding hostages and detainees. The statement adds that senior officials from the three countries will meet in Cairo before the end of next week to finalize the agreement based on the conditions raised on Friday. The joint statement reiterated last week's remarks from the leaders of the three countries, emphasizing that there is no time to waste and no excuse for delay from any party, and that the time for the release of hostages and detainees, the start of a ceasefire, and the implementation of this agreement has arrived. In conclusion, the joint statement from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar stated that the implementation of this agreement would save lives, bring peace to the people of Gaza, and de-escalate tensions in the region. Washington and regional mediators are striving to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. The United States, as Israel's most important ally, has stated that a ceasefire in Gaza could reduce the risk of escalating war in the Middle East. With rising tensions following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Iran, and Hezbollah's military commander, Fouad Shukr in Beirut, the likelihood of a wider war has increased. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, in which 1,200 citizens, mostly civilians, were killed and over 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza aimed at retrieving the kidnapped hostages and destroying Hamas. Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada consider Hamas a terrorist organization. A new round of ceasefire negotiations in Doha is ongoing; talks will continue on Friday. A new round of ceasefire talks in Gaza has begun; the White House states that all parties should participate in the negotiations. Axios reported that Donald Trump and Netanyahu discussed the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages. Netanyahu denied Axios's report about discussions with Donald Trump regarding the Gaza negotiations. Protesters in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv demanded Netanyahu's government agreement for the release of hostages.