Joe Biden has less than two months left as President of the United States. But in the meantime, he wants to see a cease-fire in Gaza come into effect. Two of Biden's associates told US media Axios on condition of anonymity that Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone last Tuesday that after the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, the goal should be to release the hostages in Gaza and ensure a ceasefire there.
Palestinian independence group Hamas still holds 101 hostages in Gaza, including seven Americans. According to Israeli intelligence agencies, about half of the hostages are still alive. US officials have said Biden will continue to push for a deal to release the hostages until the end of his term, even if credit for the deal goes to President-elect Trump.
A Biden aide said, 'Biden thinks it would be crazy to do nothing and tell the families of the hostages to wait until January 20.' Two U.S. officials said Biden's conversation with Netanyahu lasted a few minutes after the Lebanon ceasefire agreement was approved. Other than Lebanon, the only topics discussed were the release of the Gaza hostages and the possibility of a cease-fire.
Two sources said Biden told Netanyahu, 'Now is the chance. Let us get the hostages out.' At this time, Netanyahu gave a positive response and said that he wants to try – sources said.
Israeli and U.S. officials said the Lebanese ceasefire agreement raised the prospect of a Gaza deal. Even if it is only the first phase of the proposed agreement and the partial release of hostages. A senior Israeli minister told Axios that Netanyahu is interested in a partial hostage-release deal that would not oblige him to end the war in Gaza or completely withdraw troops.
The minister said on the condition of anonymity because the matter is sensitive, “There is a desire to start a new effort with the agreement in Gaza. It was clear to us that the war in Lebanon must be ended first. Now Hamas is in a weak position, because Hezbollah has withdrawn from the war.' However, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the matter.
Hamas said on Wednesday it was ready to cooperate in efforts to reach a deal in Gaza, following a cease-fire deal in Lebanon. But Hamas insists any deal must include an end to the fighting and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza.
Netanyahu added new conditions to the last round of talks on a ceasefire in Gaza last August. Israeli negotiators believe Hamas' position is a response to Netanyahu's new terms. But Netanyahu's critics, particularly many of the hostages' families—have accused him of reneging on the deal for political gain. While Biden and his party publicly blamed Hamas, they also secretly placed some of the blame on Netanyahu.
Negotiations on the Gaza deal have been stalled for the past three months. In Washington two weeks ago, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on Biden to work with Trump on advancing the deal. In a speech at the White House on Tuesday, Biden singled out Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar for helping advance a hostage and cease-fire deal in Gaza.
After winning the election, Herzog told Trump on the phone that half of the hostages were still alive. At that time, Trump said that he did not know this matter. A few days after meeting with Herzog, Biden met with Trump at the White House and offered to work together. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also discussed the issue with his successor, Republican Representative Mike Waltz, last week.
Several top Hamas officials—including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya—left Doha for Turkey after Qatar announced the suspension of mediation earlier this month.
Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet director Ronen Barr recently visited Turkey to meet with his Turkish counterpart Ibrahim Kalin and discuss the hostage deal. After that meeting, Türkiye became more active on the issue, Israeli officials said.
Last Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo. After the meeting, Egypt's foreign minister said the agreement efforts in Gaza were the main topic of discussion.
