A senior US official has raised doubts about the seriousness of Hamas in reaching a ceasefire deal following the Israeli military's recovery of several dead hostages in Gaza. The official highlighted the mounting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing mass protests over his government's failure to secure the release of the hostages.
According to Israeli officials and the senior US official, some of the hostages killed by Hamas were supposed to be released as part of a potential ceasefire agreement that US officials, along with Qatar and Egypt, had been working on. The official expressed concerns about Hamas' commitment to a deal in light of the recent events.
Despite the grim discovery of the bodies, President Joe Biden remains hopeful for a ceasefire agreement, stating that negotiators are close to reaching a deal. Biden emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict, expressing optimism about reaching an agreement based on shared principles.
However, the revelation of the hostages' fate has cast uncertainty over the prospects of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the complexities of the conflict and the challenges of securing a lasting peace.
