President Joe Biden is warning of dire consequences if a cease-fire is not reached in Gaza before the start of Ramadan, as the third day of negotiations for a truce and the release of hostages concludes with no breakthroughs.
The Hamas delegation remains in Egypt, meeting with mediators on Wednesday, as U.S. officials push for a six-week cease-fire with increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, Hamas is demanding a permanent end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, a demand that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected.
Recent developments include an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis and reports of child starvation in Gaza, prompting the U.S. to urge Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the region. In response, the U.S. Central Command conducted airdrops of food supplies in northern Gaza, although they acknowledged it is not a substitute for aid trucks.
Additionally, a visit by Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz provided an opportunity for U.S. officials to express their concerns about the dire conditions in Gaza. President Biden emphasized that Israel has been cooperating and the ball is now in Hamas’s court to agree to a cease-fire.
The negotiations come at a crucial time as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the U.S. urging for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Both sides must come to a resolution soon to prevent further tragedy in the region.
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