Biden says US is working on new hostage deal that would pause fighting in Gaza for 6 weeks

Source: USA Today

Biden says US is working on new hostage deal that would pause fighting in Gaza for 6 weeks

Joey Garrison
USA TODAY
Published 5:31 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2024 | Updated 5:42 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2024

WASHINGTON ― The U.S. is working on a deal between Israel and Hamas for a pause in fighting in Gaza for at least six weeks to allow the release of additional hostages still held captive by Hamas, President Joe Biden said Monday.

After a "sustained period of calm" in Gaza, "we could then take the time to build something more enduring," Biden said after a meeting at the White House with Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Biden said he has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as leaders of Qatar and Egypt, "to push this forward."

"The key elements of the deal are on the table," Biden said. "There are gaps that remain but I've encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal. The United States will do everything possible to make it happen."

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Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/02/12/biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-deal/72576266007/