Biden Expresses Hope for Early Ceasefire in Gaza; Al Jazeera: Israel Agrees to Release 400 Palestinian Prisoners

On Monday, March 7, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for a ceasefire between the Israeli army and Hamas militants to be established by next Monday, stopping the ongoing conflict. Simultaneously, Qatar's Al Jazeera reported that Israel agreed to a prisoner exchange. According to Reuters, during a political trip to New York, Biden mentioned that he hopes the ceasefire will begin on March 4 (14 Esfand). Al Jazeera claimed that as part of the hostage deal framework established during recent negotiations in Paris, Israel agreed to release about 400 Palestinian prisoners, including 'dangerous' terrorists sentenced to 'heavy' penalties. The Qatari network, citing anonymous sources, added that Israel also agreed to the gradual return of Palestinian refugees to northern Gaza but will prevent heavy construction machinery and equipment from entering Gaza. Al Jazeera further claimed that as part of a six-week ceasefire that would accompany the release of Israeli hostages, Israel proposed to withdraw its forces from crowded areas of Gaza and halt reconnaissance flights for eight hours a day. These reports come as Reuters cited an informed source stating that an Israeli delegation traveled to Qatar on Monday, March 7, to negotiate a temporary ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. Israeli officials discussed the conditions for the release of hostages with delegations from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar during the Paris peace talks held in recent days. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated on Sunday that these four countries had reached an understanding on the general terms of a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, March 6, that it is still unclear whether the hostage release agreement will be realized in the ongoing negotiations, but Hamas's demands must be reasonable. Israeli newspapers reported on Saturday, March 5, that Hamas had told Arab media sources that it is willing to show flexibility regarding its three conditions for an agreement with Israel, including the duration of the ceasefire, the number of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons, and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza. During a previous agreement and two-week ceasefire in Azar last year, several Palestinian prisoners were exchanged for about 100 hostages held by Hamas. It is said that Hamas still holds over 130 hostages abducted during the October 7 (15 Mehr) attack. Hamas militants and their allies attacked southern Israeli cities in mid-Mehr last year, killing over 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, most of whom were civilians. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries classify the Palestinian group Hamas as a terrorist organization. This militant group is supported by the Islamic Republic. The United States stated that the resignation of the Palestinian Authority cabinet is a positive step towards reforms. An Israeli delegation went to Qatar for temporary ceasefire negotiations. Sullivan: The U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Israel have reached an understanding on a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Following pressures for governance structure reform, the Prime Minister and the Palestinian Authority government resigned. Netanyahu: The fate of the hostage release agreement is unclear. Egyptian state media: Doha negotiations to stop Gaza conflicts have resumed.