The U.S. is working on a deal between Israel and Hamas for a pause in fighting in Gaza for at least six weeks to allow the release of additional hostages still held captive by Hamas, President Joe Biden said Monday.
After a “sustained period of calm” in Gaza, “we could then take the time to build something more enduring,” Biden said after a meeting at the White House with Jordanian King Abdullah II.
Biden said he has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as leaders of Qatar and Egypt, “to push this forward.”
The key elements of the deal are on the table,” Biden said. “There are gaps that remain but I’ve encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal. The United States will do everything possible to make it happen.”
Israel has said about 100 hostages remain alive in Hamas captivity in Gaza out of about 240 who were taken by Hamas during the militant group’s violent Oct. 7 attack on Israel
About 100 were released during a previous cease-fire in November, and militants are believed to be holding the remains of more than 30 others, most of whom died in the Oct. 7 attacks.