Palestine Crisis: Joe Biden’s new plea to Hamas

Do it for the Ramadan — Joe Biden begs Hamas to consider a ceasefire.

US President Joe Biden issued a call on Tuesday urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal in Gaza ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as the Palestinian militant group cautioned that talks for a truce and hostage release could not drag on indefinitely.

Against the backdrop of looming famine in Gaza, humanitarian aid was once again airlifted into the besieged territory, home to 2.4 million people, in a joint operation involving US and Jordanian planes, along with support from Egypt and France.

The ongoing conflict, sparked by an attack on October 7, has resulted in further casualties, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting the deaths of 97 individuals due to bombing and fighting. Israel confirmed airstrikes on 50 targets in Gaza over the preceding day.

In Cairo, US and Hamas representatives engaged in negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aiming to bring an end to hostilities and secure the release of hostages before the onset of Ramadan, expected to commence on March 10 or 11.

According to reports from Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, closely associated with the country’s intelligence services, the talks are in progress and are set to enter their fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.

While discussions have centered on a proposed six-week ceasefire, along with the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and increased aid deliveries to Gaza, Hamas official Osama Hamdan emphasized that the group would not allow negotiations to remain open indefinitely.

President Biden reiterated the urgency for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire before Ramadan, echoing the sentiments of his Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who previously urged an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Addressing reporters, President Biden emphasized Hamas’s responsibility in deciding the trajectory of the conflict, highlighting the potential dangers posed by a prolonged crisis, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

While he did not provide further details, the United States had previously called upon Israel to ensure access for Muslim worshippers to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem during Ramadan.