2024-09-11 02:01:33
The Biden administration has encountered serious difficulties in negotiating a cease-fire in Gaza after months of intensive work, raising doubts in the White House about whether the conflict between Israel and Hamas can be resolved before the end of Joe Biden’s presidency, CNN reports.
Despite Biden and his top aides’ insistence that a deal would be reached, the talks have hit a rocky patch in recent days, changing the overall mood.
American officials are expressing growing skepticism that Hamas and its leader Yahya Sinwar are genuinely seeking a deal. The group has been accused of making negotiations more difficult after the recent execution of six hostages in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dampened U.S. optimism, even as Biden officials have avoided openly criticizing him. Netanyahu this week bluntly stated that no deal has been reached and expressed support for Israel’s continued presence in southwest Gaza, despite international calls, including from the U.S., for a full withdrawal.
Meanwhile, protests have intensified in Israel against Netanyahu’s government over the failure to reach an agreement that would allow more than 100 hostages, including Americans, to be brought home.
American officials say Hamas bears the brunt of the impasse. Hamas may “never want a deal,” according to one senior administration official. That view is shared by many American officials, both publicly and privately.
Asked whether increasing pressure on Netanyahu would help him reach a deal, another senior official said: “The president has chosen his own way to get Netanyahu across the finish line.”
Regarding the use of leverage against Israel, such as restrictions on arms sales, the official noted that it is unclear whether these measures will change the behavior of a government that includes figures such as Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that both sides – Israel and Hamas – must “reach agreement” on the remaining issues.
If a cease-fire is not reached in the coming months, it would be a significant disappointment and foreign policy setback for Biden, who has spent much time, effort and political capital trying to resolve the conflict. Biden has redoubled his efforts to achieve peace in recent weeks, especially since his campaign ended, the sources said.
Aides say Biden has become more open to calls with regional leaders as he focuses on foreign policy and the Gaza conflict. He has been in close contact with leaders in Egypt and Qatar in recent weeks, hoping to reach a final-stage deal.
One leading Democrat close to the White House described Biden as someone who has become “obsessed” with the issue in recent days.
Earlier, Cursor reported that Joe Biden spent 40% of his time as US President on vacation.