President Biden is planning to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss the prospects of a possible cease-fire deal to obtain the release of some remaining hostages held since the Hamas-led terrorist attack of Oct. 7. This call is scheduled to take place just hours after Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken left Washington for his latest trip to the Middle East, where he will be meeting with Saudi Arabia, Egyptian, and Qatari officials who have served as intermediaries in the cease-fire and hostage negotiations. The talks have stalled in recent weeks, prompting the need for further discussions between the U.S. and Israel.
Mr. Blinken is expected to visit Israel during his trip to the region, although the State Department has not announced an itinerary beyond his stop in Saudi Arabia, where he will join a three-day meeting of the World Economic Forum. He has been a key player in the Biden administration’s efforts to broker a cessation to the war, increase humanitarian aid, and secure the release of more than 100 hostages believed to still be in Gaza. The call with Prime Minister Netanyahu comes three weeks after President Biden expressed concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza and urged Israel to do more to facilitate the delivery of food and other supplies to the region. Humanitarian aid has since increased, but it is noted that more assistance is still needed.
Israel has withdrawn some of its forces from southern Gaza but is still planning a major assault on the city of Rafah, where approximately one million Palestinians have sought refuge. Biden administration officials have expressed concerns about these plans, and Israeli officials have indicated that they will take this feedback into consideration and further consult with their American counterparts. Under the U.S.-sponsored cease-fire proposal, Israel would agree to halt hostilities for six weeks and release hundreds of Palestinians held in its prisons in exchange for the release of 40 hostages held by Hamas, many of whom are women, older men, and individuals with health conditions.
The proposed deal would involve multiple stages, with the initial phase focusing on the release of 40 hostages held by Hamas. Subsequent stages would extend the cease-fire and lead to the release of more hostages over time. This negotiation process is seen as a crucial step towards achieving a lasting peace in the region and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both the U.S. and Israel are committed to finding a resolution to the conflict that benefits all parties involved while also ensuring the safe release of the remaining hostages. The upcoming call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to further advance these efforts and pave the way for a potential cease-fire agreement.
