Israel Hamas war ceasefire by next Monday Joe Biden Qatar US Gaza Palestine

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United States President Joe Biden said he expected a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by “next Monday”. On Monday, the US President visited an ice cream shop in New York with comedian Seth Meyers when he was asked about the ceasefire.

“I expect that by the beginning of the weekend, I mean by the end of the weekend,” Biden said. He added, “My national security adviser has told me that we are close. We are close, it is not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we will have a ceasefire.”

Biden’s statement came as the warring sides met in Qatar and agreed to a deal during talks that also aimed to broker the release of the hostages, Reuters reported.

Both sides were present in the city for so-called proximity talks and mediators met both sides separately, although in the same city, suggesting that talks would be closer than at any time since the big push in early February. It went ahead, the Reuters report added.

Earlier this month, Israel rejected Hamas’ counteroffer and a four-and-a-half-month ceasefire.

Washington negotiators are working hard to hold off a hostage deal until Ramadan, which is expected to begin on March 10, according to a US official, and US officials have been working on the issue since last week.

The report quoted a US official as saying that the meetings between Israel and Qatar seem to be increasing optimism.

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However, both Israel and Hamas have publicly taken far-flung stances on a potential ceasefire, while blaming each other for blocking the move.

Following a meeting between Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the former said his group had embraced efforts to end the war, while accusing Israel of delaying because Palestinians in Gaza. were dying under siege.

“We will not allow the enemy to use negotiations as a cover for this crime,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said he was open to a deal, although he called on Hamas to drop its demand, calling it “from another planet.” “Obviously, if we can make this deal we want this deal. It’s up to Hamas. It’s really their decision now,” he told US network Fox News. “They have to come to reality,” Netanyahu said.