Biden urges Egypt and Qatar to step up efforts in Gaza ceasefire talks

The USA, Egypt and Qatar have been acting as mediators between Hamas and Israel for several months in an effort to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and release the hostages taken in Israel on October 7.

Egypt, Qatar and Hamas held talks in Cairo on Monday, and the Palestinian group’s reaction to the latest proposals for a second ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages is expected.

Biden, on the other hand, had a separate telephone conversation with the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which they talked about the agreement that is currently being discussed, the White House said.

Biden has urged the leaders to “activate efforts to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas, as this is currently the only obstacle on the way to an immediate ceasefire and improvement of the situation of the people of the Gaza Strip”, the White House stated.

A source close to the Hamas group assured the AFP news agency that the group wants to respond to the proposals “as soon as possible”.

The agreement provides for a 40-day ceasefire, as well as the release of potentially several thousand Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in exchange for the capture of Hamas.