Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Joe Biden of the United States discussed efforts on Sunday to reach a ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas. This conversation highlights a renewed push to finalize an agreement before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.
Recent negotiations, mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, have frequently stalled just as they appeared to be progressing. However, in the last few days, U.S. officials have expressed optimism about reaching a settlement.
The phone call on Sunday took place as David Barnea, head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, and Brett McGurk, Biden’s Middle East advisor, were both in Doha, Qatar. Their presence indicates that senior Israeli officials, who must approve any agreement, are now actively participating in the discussions.
McGurk is finalizing a proposal that will be presented to both sides. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted that, while progress has been made, it’s uncertain whether a deal could be reached by January 20, the day of Trump’s inauguration.
“We are very, very close,” Sullivan remarked, adding, “Yet being close still means we are far because until you actually cross the finish line, we are not there.”
Both the White House and Netanyahu’s office confirmed the call without providing further details. To date, the only brief ceasefire achieved in the 15 months of conflict occurred in the early weeks of fighting. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated this week that an agreement is “very close” and expressed hope to finalize it before the administration hands off diplomatic efforts.
Currently under discussion is a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu indicating his commitment only to an initial phase that includes partial hostage release in exchange for a temporary halt to hostilities. Hamas is insisting on a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from areas heavily damaged in the conflict, whereas Netanyahu emphasizes the need to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities in Gaza.
Discussions also encompass which hostages would be released first, which Palestinian prisoners might be included in any deal, and the scope of any potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza.
The ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children, according to health officials in the region. This military action was triggered by a surprise attack from Hamas on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Families of the approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza are urging Netanyahu to secure their release. Protests were held again in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, with demonstrators displaying images of the hostages.
Meanwhile, residents in Gaza are tempering their expectations regarding a ceasefire. The ongoing Israeli operations have caused widespread destruction, displacing more than 80% of the area’s 2.3 million population. “We hear about negotiations every day, but we don’t see any results,” said Mazen Hammad, a resident of Khan Younis. “When we see it on the ground, then we will believe there is a truce.”
