Biden Responds to Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire & Hostage Release
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a potential cease-fire and hostage release are in their final stages, Fox News has learned, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with top officials. The Israeli leader is said to be pushing for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has left thousands dead and has garnered international attention.
President Biden, who has been closely monitoring the situation, commented on Tuesday that a hostage release is "very close" to happening. This comes after the U.S. has been actively involved in brokering talks between Israel and Hamas.
The latest developments come after a largely successful six-week campaign by Israel in which they targeted northern Gaza, where Hamas has its strongholds. The airstrikes and ground operations have severely weakened the militant group's capabilities, and Israel is now turning its attention to the southern part of the region.
International pressure for a cease-fire and humanitarian pause has been mounting, with world leaders calling for an end to the violence. However, Israel remains steadfast in its pursuit of Hamas targets, citing the continued rocket attacks launched by the group into Israeli territory.
1. Israel/Hamas war: why this temporary truce (not a ceasefire) is good news for Israel and the ordinary people of Gaza, a thread: https://t.co/OBjh8pic5h
— Tim Scott (@TimScottUK) November 22, 2023
In a statement released by the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu, he emphasized that Israel will continue its operations until its security is guaranteed and the threat of Hamas is neutralized.
Meanwhile, Hamas has also been under pressure to make concessions in order to secure the release of its hostages, including two Israeli soldiers who were captured during a previous conflict in 2014. The group has been demanding the release of several Hamas leaders and prisoners in exchange for the hostages.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims that more than 12,000 people have been killed since Israel began its retaliatory campaign. The organization does not differentiate between civilians and Hamas terrorists, and the U.S. has rejected its statistics outright, calling them highly exaggerated.
Despite the ongoing conflict, there have been signs of progress in the negotiations. Both sides have reportedly agreed to a potential cease-fire, but the finer details, such as the timeline and conditions, are still being worked out.
In the meantime, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with many civilians caught in the crossfire and struggling to survive amid the destruction and displacement. International aid organizations are calling for urgent action to provide much-needed relief to those affected by the conflict.
As the negotiations continue, the world watches with bated breath, hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. With the final stages of the deal now in progress, there is a glimmer of hope that the region can finally see an end to the violence and suffering that has plagued its people for far too long.