President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet in the White House Situation Room to discuss strategies for securing the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
This urgent meeting comes in the wake of the tragic discovery of six hostages dead in Gaza over the weekend, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
According to the Washington Examiner, the administration is intensifying efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The recent deaths have added pressure to the ongoing negotiations, with the White House working alongside Egyptian and Qatari governments to present a "take it or leave it" final outline for a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.
The Biden administration's diplomatic efforts have reached a critical juncture. A senior White House official, speaking to the Washington Post, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the current negotiations could mark the end of American-led mediation efforts if both parties fail to accept the proposed deal.
"You can't keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point," a senior White House official said. This sentiment reflects the growing impatience and frustration with the prolonged negotiations and the dire consequences of further delays.
In Israel, public pressure has been mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to prioritize the release of hostages. The recent deaths of six hostages, three or four of whom were reportedly slated for release in the initial phase of a potential agreement, have sparked massive protests across Israel.
The recovery of the six bodies and the status of ceasefire negotiations were the focus of a meeting between U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk, and families of the seven American hostages still believed to be in Gaza.
Following the meeting, the American hostage families released a joint statement, relaying Sullivan's message: "Sullivan told the families that the next few days will be critical in the push to free the remaining 101 hostages."
President Biden, in response to the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, issued a statement praising the Goldberg family's tireless advocacy:
It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The White House's engagement with the Egyptian and Qatari governments highlights the international dimension of the crisis. These countries have been instrumental in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, serving as key intermediaries in the complex diplomatic process.
The proposed "take it or leave it" deal represents a significant escalation in diplomatic efforts. It signals the administration's determination to break the current impasse and achieve a breakthrough in the hostage situation.
The involvement of Egypt and Qatar also underscores the regional implications of the conflict and the need for a collaborative approach to resolving the crisis. Their roles as mediators have been crucial in maintaining communication channels between the parties involved.
The meeting between President Biden and Vice President Harris in the Situation Room marks a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. The recent deaths of six hostages have intensified the urgency of these negotiations, with the administration pushing for a final deal. The involvement of regional partners and the mounting pressure from families and protesters underscore the complexity and high stakes of the situation.
