Mediators are on the brink of a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, gave this information.
Local time Friday (August 16) at an event in the Oval Office of the White House, Biden said, “The process of implementing a cease-fire in Gaza is the closest it has been in recent times.”
“(The prospect of a ceasefire) is much closer than it was three days ago. And be patient.
A joint statement by the United States, Egypt and Qatar said on this day, “Senior officials of our government have been in Doha for the last 48 hours to conclude an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.”
“The mediation team will continue its work in the coming days to implement the humanitarian provisions described in the agreement as well as the specific issues related to hostages and detainees.”
They will meet again in Cairo before the end of next week with a view to concluding an agreement under the terms presented by (all parties).”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel on Saturday (August 17), US State Department Deputy Chief Spokesman Vedanta Patel said.
In a statement, Patel said, “Blinken will visit Israel to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages and prisoners through the proposals presented by the United States in support of Egypt and Qatar.”
Incidentally, on October 7 last year, at least 1,200 civilians were killed in an attack by Hamas that entered Israel. At that time, 250 Israelis were taken hostage by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Since that incident, the Israeli military has continued to attack Gaza.
The health ministry of Gaza, run by Hamas, confirmed on Thursday that the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 40,000 so far in Israeli attacks.
