Speculations Continue Regarding Possible Agreement; Egypt's Optimism; Hamas 'Ready' to Continue War

On Wednesday, March 1, Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of Hamas, stated in a televised speech that Hamas is showing 'flexibility' in negotiations currently underway for a temporary ceasefire aimed at the release of hostages and humanitarian aid, but is also prepared to continue the war. He called on the 'Axis of Resistance' (a term used by Iranian officials to refer to Iran and its allies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite forces in Iraq and Syria) to increase their attacks. Haniyeh also urged Palestinians living in 'Jerusalem and the West Bank' to march towards Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first day of Ramadan. The day before, Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, said: 'Hamas's main goal is to turn Ramadan into the second phase of its plan that began on October 7, with a focus on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and this goal is reinforced by [the government of] Iran and Hezbollah.' Today, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed hope that the ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip would soon yield results and bring real peace to the people of Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Monday that he hopes a 'temporary ceasefire' agreement will be reached by March 5. His remarks were immediately met with official opposition from Qatar – the mediator of the negotiations, Hamas, and unofficial comments from several Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without referencing Biden's comments, stated that Israel's position for 'continuing the campaign until complete victory' enjoys comprehensive support in the U.S. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, also said today that Biden's view is based on the content of the text prepared in Paris and ongoing negotiations in Doha, and the Biden administration hopes that the 'temporary ceasefire' will last beyond the set time until 'all hostages are released.' The U.S. government is now using the term 'temporary ceasefire' instead of 'pause in hostilities.' The Hamas group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and several European countries and is supported by the Islamic Republic, killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in the October 15 attack on Israel. So far, tens of thousands have been killed in Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza, and a large part of the region has been destroyed. Israel accuses Hamas of hiding among civilians. Israeli media report progress in achieving a temporary ceasefire. The U.S.: The Arab draft resolution for a ceasefire does not guarantee the release of Israeli hostages. Netanyahu accused critics of undermining Israel in its war with Hamas; even if an agreement is reached, we will enter Rafah. Biden: 'My hope and expectation' is that an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire will be reached. Efforts by the U.S. and regional partners to formulate a comprehensive peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. Negotiations between the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar for establishing a ceasefire in Gaza.