President Biden Urges Restraint to Preserve Gaza Ceasefire Deal

By Rula Gabr

Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden emphasized that all parties involved in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations should not jeopardize the progress being made. He expressed optimism, stating the talks have brought them closer than ever to achieving a ceasefire, although a senior Hamas official voiced doubt. Biden also confirmed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be sent to Israel to advance these efforts.
This comes after a joint statement from the US, Qatar, and Egypt, which revealed that a ceasefire and hostage release proposal had been presented. According to the statement, the proposal helps bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas, reflecting significant movement toward an agreement.
Governments view any progress in the Qatar ceasefire talks as critical to preventing the Gaza conflict from escalating into a broader regional war. Mediators reported that the past two days of negotiations had been serious and constructive, with a positive atmosphere. Technical teams will continue working on the implementation details over the coming days before senior officials reconvene in Cairo to finalize the terms discussed in Doha.
President Biden later announced that he had spoken with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, who voiced strong support for the ceasefire proposal. He is also sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken back to the Middle East to reaffirm US support for Israel's security and to ensure no actions are taken to derail the peace process. While optimism is growing, Blinken cautioned that there is still work to be done and refrained from predicting when a ceasefire might begin.
President Biden has previously expressed optimism about a potential ceasefire deal, but not everyone shares his confidence. A senior Hamas official, while in contact with Qatari and Egyptian officials, indicated that the information shared with Hamas about the Doha ceasefire talks did not include a firm commitment to implement the agreements from July 2. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the ongoing efforts to push Hamas toward accepting a deal that would release the hostages.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following an October 7 attack that killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. The Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports over 40,000 deaths in Gaza since the conflict began. In a November agreement, Hamas released 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel says that 111 hostages remain captive, with 39 presumed dead.
President Biden’s proposed ceasefire deal, based on Israel's May 27 plan, involves three phases. The first phase would establish a six-week ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza's populated areas, and the exchange of some hostages, including women, the elderly, and the sick, for Palestinian prisoners. The second phase would see the release of all remaining hostages and a permanent end to hostilities, followed by the third phase, which would initiate major reconstruction efforts in Gaza and return the remains of deceased hostages.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Israel's military operation in Gaza continues, with new evacuation orders issued for parts of northern Khan Younis and Deir Balah due to ongoing terrorist activity. The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees has expressed deep concern over the situation, as families trapped in the shrinking humanitarian zone face increasing danger. The urgency for a ceasefire has heightened as the polio virus, spread through contaminated water, has begun circulating in the overcrowded humanitarian zone. UN Secretary General António Guterres stressed that peace and an immediate ceasefire are the ultimate remedies for the worsening crisis.

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