Biden expresses 'hope' for ceasefire in Gaza by next Monday

US President Joe Biden expressed his hope that a ceasefire would begin in Gaza by the beginning of next week.

During a visit to New York on Monday, he was asked about the possible date for the start of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The US President responded saying: “My national security advisor tells me that we are close, we are close, and we are not finished yet. I hope that by next Monday there will be a ceasefire.” 

The mediating countries, Qatar, Egypt and the US, are trying to negotiate a settlement between Israel and Hamas to reach a truce.

A Hamas source confirmed that the discussions focus on the first phase of a plan drawn up by the mediators in January, which stipulates a six-week truce linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as well as the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

However, Israel has demanded the release of all hostages during the truce period, and announced that the truce will not mean the end of the war.

For its part, Hamas demands a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the lifting of the siege imposed by Israel since 2007.