The US should immediately start a new push for an end to the shooting in Gaza
President Joe Biden said the US will make another push with regional power to end the shooting in Gaza, including the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.
His comments on X come a few hours later operations began in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollahending almost 14 months of conflict.
Hamas has said it hopes for a similar deal in Gaza but continues to reject Israel’s demands, which it sees as surrender.
Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas following the group’s unprecedented attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured.
More than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 injured in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area.
“In the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to reach an agreement to end the war in Gaza where the hostages are released and the war ends without Hamas in power,” Biden said on X. .
Hamas has responded positively to the suspension of Lebanon.
“We appreciate the steadfastness of the brotherly Lebanese people, and their constant solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Hamas leader Basem Naim told the BBC.
The organization has faced major challenges, including the inability to name its leadership since the assassination of Yahya Sinwar by Israel.
Its leaders are now scattered across Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, and cut off from those in charge of hostages held in Gaza.
These hostages appear to be the remaining strength of Hamas, as the group’s ability to fight against Israel has become very small, and its popularity has declined significantly in Gaza.
Despite insisting on three conditions – the withdrawal of Israel, a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza – Hamas has shown the negotiators many times its willingness to make major concessions.
For now, Hamas remains unwilling to agree to terms it sees as surrender, but it has little room for negotiation, as the gap between the two sides has deepened and the sound of gunfire will always be louder.
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