The US president has revealed that Israel is open to a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, if a deal can be reached to release some of the hostages held by the militant group.
Biden hopes for a ceasefire by next week
President Joe Biden said on Monday that he hopes a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would pause hostilities and allow for remaining hostages to be released can take effect by early next week. Biden spoke after taping an appearance with talk show host Seth Meyers.
Biden said that negotiators from the US, Egypt and Qatar are working on a framework deal under which Hamas would free some of the dozens of hostages it holds, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a six-week halt in fighting. During the temporary pause, negotiations would continue over the release of the remaining hostages.
Ramadan’s coming up and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out, Biden said.
Ramadan is a time of peace and prayer for Muslims
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. It is also a time of increased religious observance, charity and spiritual reflection. Ramadan is expected to start around March 10 this year, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
The prospect of a ceasefire during Ramadan could ease the suffering of millions of civilians in Gaza, who have been living under a blockade and bombardment by Israel for years. The war has also disrupted the lives of Israelis, who have faced rocket attacks and riots by Arab citizens.
Israel and Hamas have been at war since January
The latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas erupted in January, after the US-backed assassination of a top Iranian general in Iraq. Hamas, which is backed by Iran, vowed to avenge the killing and launched rockets at Israel. Israel responded with airstrikes and ground operations, targeting Hamas leaders, tunnels and infrastructure.
The war has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 70 Israelis, mostly soldiers. It has also destroyed thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in Gaza, and damaged infrastructure and security in Israel.
The international community has called for an end to the bloodshed and a lasting solution to the conflict. The UN Security Council has passed several resolutions condemning the violence and urging a ceasefire, but they have been ignored by both sides.
Hostages are a key issue in the negotiations
One of the main obstacles to a peace deal is the fate of the hostages held by Hamas. The militant group is believed to hold at least 40 Israeli soldiers and civilians, some of whom have been missing since the 2014 war. Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those involved in deadly attacks, in exchange for the hostages.
Israel has rejected the demand, saying it would only encourage more kidnappings and terrorism. Israel has also insisted on the return of the remains of two soldiers killed in 2014, which Hamas has refused to hand over.
Biden said that he believes Israel has slowed its bombardment of Rafah, a border town in southern Gaza where many of the hostages are thought to be held. He said that Israel has made a commitment to him that they would allow the evacuation of civilians from Rafah before launching a ground operation to rescue the hostages.
