Biden urges Egypt, Qatar to push Hamas on hostage-release deal
U.S. President Joe Biden has penned letters to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, urging them to exert pressure on Hamas to engage in negotiations with Israel for the release of hostages, as part of a broader cease-fire accord. The appeal precedes anticipated discussions in Cairo this weekend, gathering delegates from the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, aiming to broker a new agreement to halt the conflict, initiated by Hamas nearly six months ago.
A senior U.S. administration official disclosed that Biden’s correspondence to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatar’s Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani emphasized the necessity for Hamas to commit to and adhere to an agreement. The official’s remarks were reported by AP, AFP, and Reuters, underscoring the diplomatic efforts underway to address the protracted crisis.
Furthermore, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is slated to convene with select families of the approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza out of the 253 individuals abducted by Hamas on October 7. The forthcoming talks in Cairo are anticipated to involve representatives from the Egyptian and Qatari governments, as well as David Barnea, the director of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Although reports have surfaced regarding the participation of U.S. CIA Director William Burns, the White House has refrained from confirming his inclusion in the American delegation.
Amid escalating pressure from the White House to quell hostilities, following the tragic killing of seven aid workers from the U.S.-based World Central Kitchen by Israel on Monday, negotiations aim to forge a path towards a lasting resolution. Biden’s recent dialogue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked their first discussion since the aforementioned airstrike, prompting renewed efforts to address humanitarian concerns in Gaza and empower negotiators in Cairo to broker a six-week cease-fire agreement, contingent upon the release of hostages.
Netanyahu’s acknowledgment on Tuesday of an “unintentional” Israeli strike resulting in civilian casualties in Gaza has prompted internal accountability measures within the Israel Defense Forces, with the dismissal of two senior officers implicated in the airstrikes. As diplomatic efforts intensify and regional stakeholders converge in Cairo, the prospects for a comprehensive agreement that addresses the humanitarian crisis and restores stability to the region remain pivotal in charting a course towards lasting peace.
