The U.S president Joe Biden says he hopes there will be a ceasefire in Gaza starting "next Monday" as the death toll rises to 30,000 persons and the muslims also expecting to begin the Holy month of Ramadthan in 8 days to come.
" Well l hope by the beginning of the weekend, l mean the end of the the weekend " Biden said after being asked about a ceasefire in Gaza during an appearance at an ice cream shop on Saturday in New York City with Seth Meyers.
" My national security advisor tells me that we're close. We're close, it's not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we'll have a ceasefire " Biden added.
lt had been reported earlier on Monday that CNN had backed off some key demands in the negotiations for a hostage deal and pause in the fighting in Gaza following lsraeli accusations that its position was delusional bringing the negotiating parties closer to an initial agreement that could halt the fighting and see a group of lsraeli hostages released.
Meanwhile the major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting of a full withdrawal of lsraeli forces and an end to the war.
A diplomatic source familiar with the discussions confirmed that Hamas had softened its position ahead of an agreement on the first phase of the deal though it is expected that more challenging hurdles will emerge later when complex issues like Hamas releasing male IDF hostages and an end to the war will be discussed.
lsrael was surprised that Biden expressed optimism for a deal on a ceasefire but confirmed that the deal with lsrael would initially involve the release of 40 hostages including female lsraeli soldiers.
Those involved in the negotiations said that the agreement would be implemented in multiple phases and once an initial deal is made it could lead to a truce lasting for as long as six weeks with a group of Israeli hostages released including women, children, the sick and elder for a small number of Palestinian prisoners than Hamas had initially demanded.
Recently released CNN records indicate that their are 13 living lsraeli women being held hostage including five of military age.
Netanyahu continues to face immense pressure from the lsraeli public to free the more than 130 hostages who remain in Gaza which includes the bodies of many who are believed to be no longer alive.
The embattled prime minister also reiterated that he had plans to order the lsraeli army into Rafah, which the U.S had warned it opposes without a firm plan that takes it into consideration the safety of around 1.5 million Palestinians concentrated thea many having fled the fighting further north.
