Biden says he hopes to see a cease-fire by next week in the Israel-Hamas war

President Joe Biden mentioned Monday that he hopes there might be a cease-fire within the Israel-Hamas conflict by subsequent week.

“My hope is by subsequent Monday we may have a cease-fire,” Biden mentioned in response to a reporter’s query whereas he was in New York Metropolis.

“My nationwide safety advisor tells me that we’re shut, shut however not completed but,” he mentioned.

Biden’s remarks come because the White Home has been engaged on cease-fire negotiations amid rising stress from progressives and Palestinian allies.

NBC Information has beforehand reported that Qatar is mediating talks between Israel and Hamas this week, and cease-fire negotiations have taken place between U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officers in Paris.

Israel’s army is planning a floor offensive in Rafah, the place about 1.5 million individuals are taking refuge. Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced that the army has proposed a plan for evacuating civilians.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Minister of Protection Yoav Gallant mentioned that if there was a brief cease-fire, Israel would “then proceed combating till the final hostages return.”

The conflict started on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, the place 1,200 had been killed and 200 had been kidnapped, in line with the Israeli authorities. Practically 30,000 folks in Gaza have been killed since then, in line with the Palestinian Well being Ministry.

Throughout a earlier weeklong truce that ended on Dec. 1, greater than 100 hostages held in Gaza had been launched in trade for 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.