By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL -On Monday, in New York Ctty when Biden made an appearance with comedian Seth Myers he responded to reporters questions on the situation in Gaza. Biden said: “My national security adviser tells me that we’re close. We’re close, it’s not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.” A senior official in the Biden administration told CNN on Friday: “The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and end to the war.” The official also added that “Hamas’ requirements for the numbers of Palestinians [prisoners that] would have to be freed has declined.” In addition, a diplomatic source close to the negotiations, did acknowledge that Hamas has been more flexible on its position to achieve the first phase of a deal.
The proposed deal outlines a first phase where it is expected that approximately 40 Israeli hostages, primarily women, children, the ill and elderly as well as female Israeli soldiers will be released first. Israel has taken a hardline on negotiations with Hamas, going so far as to label their demands “delusional.” Israel also wants Hamas to reduce the number of Palestinian prisoners it demands for release. Earlier on Monday, CNN reported that Hamas backed off some of its initial demands. Negotiators told the media that any agreement is likely to occur in multiple phases and that after the first part of the deal is completed that it could point to a six-week truce. According to reports, the second phase of negotiations are expected to be a lot tougher and more complicated to include discussions on releasing Palestinian prisoners serving longer sentences, the withdrawal of IDF forces and how to bring a permanent end to the war with plans for the “day after.”
