US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict as early as “tomorrow” during a fundraiser event outside Seattle on Saturday. Biden asserted that Israel has conveyed its readiness to cease hostilities if Hamas releases the kidnapped Israeli hostages.
The President emphasized that a ceasefire could be reached promptly if Hamas takes action, highlighting that Israel has indicated its willingness to end the conflict. He raised the issue after cautioning Israel on Wednesday against using US-supplied weaponry in an offensive against the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where civilian casualties have occurred.
Biden reiterated his stance that the US will not provide weapons for such operations, declaring, “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used… to deal with the cities.”
Despite ongoing indirect negotiations, Hamas and Israel have not yet reached a ceasefire agreement. Approximately 250 Israelis were captured and taken to the Gaza Strip during a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October. Israeli authorities report that 128 individuals remain captive, including at least 36 who have perished.
According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, the Hamas attack resulted in over 1,170 fatalities, predominantly civilians. The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 34,971 individuals have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military campaign, primarily women and children.
