Biden is considering presenting final Gaza deal proposal within days

Source: Axios

Updated 11 hours ago


White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday told families of U.S. hostages held in Gaza that President Biden is considering presenting Israel and Hamas a final proposal for a hostage-release and ceasefire in Gaza deal later this week, two sources with direct knowledge of the meeting told Axios.

Why it matters: The murder of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza increased the sense of urgency among Biden's top aides to push for an agreement as soon as possible and present Israel and Hamas with a take it or leave it moment, sources said.

Biden is going to meet with his national security team on Monday morning to determine the strategy for the final push regarding the deal, a source familiar with the issue said.

Vice President Kamala Harris join Biden during a meeting with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team on Monday, according to a White House schedule.

Driving the news: Six hostages who were held in Gaza, including U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were murdered by Hamas in recent days, Israeli and U.S. officials said.

Their bodies were recovered by Israeli soldiers on Saturday. The Israeli Ministry of Health said autopsies showed the hostages were shot dead from a short distance.

At least three of the hostages would have been released during the first phase of the possible deal.

Behind the scenes: Sullivan and President Biden's top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk held a one-hour Zoom call with family members of the seven U.S. hostages who are still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/biden-israel-hostage-ceasefire-deal-considering-final-proposal