Biden to hostage-ceasefire negotiators: Get me a deal

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

3 hours ago


When President Biden called the emir of Qatar and the president of Egypt on Thursday, his message was direct: Get me a deal, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Biden, under increasing pressure from progressive Democrats, desperately wants a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. He sees a deal for the hostages held by Hamas as the only way to get it while maintaining his unwavering support for Israel.

Biden wants the Qataris and the Egyptians — the key mediators in the hostage talks — to get the terror group to agree to a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts March 10

.

Driving the news: As part of the framework presented by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar in Paris on Feb. 23, Israel would release about 400 Palestinian prisoners — including 15 convicted of murdering Israelis.

In exchange, Hamas would free about 40 Israeli hostages, including women, female soldiers, men over 50 and men who are in serious medical conditions.

The framework also included a roughly six-week pause in the fighting in Gaza — one day for every living hostage released — as well as a readiness for an initial and gradual return of Palestinian citizens to the northern part of the Strip.

U.S. and Israeli officials say Hamas hasn't given a serious response to the Paris proposal.
Hamas is believed to still be holding 134 people it took hostage during the attack on Israel that began Oct. 7; 32 of the hostages have been confirmed dead.

Behind the scenes: In his call with the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Biden told them how the U.S. is pressing Israel to agree to the deal, and urged them to push Hamas to do the same, two sources with direct knowledge of the calls said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/03/03/biden-hostage-ceasefire-deal-gaza-israel-hamas

[MOMFUDSKI]

1. This mess should have been handled 3 months

ago.

[SunSeeker]

2. It was handled, then Hamas broke their word and stopped releasing hostages.

It's hard to negotiate with an irrational player like Hamas who sees martyrdom as a fine alternative.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Only 40 kidnapped people?

If Gaza's political leadership wants this to stop - they need to release every single one of them.

Is it a human rights issue to subject devout Jewish people to 40 days of their terrorist abductors religious fervor?

[eggplant]

5. Why does it matter what religion the hostages are, or whether they are "devout"?

[JustAnotherGen]

7. Because the terrorists

Hate Jewish People. Hamas wants every single Jewish Human being removed from the planet.

You just know they are going to thumb their noses at those folks and torture them with prayer.

[eggplant]

11. That has to be the stupidest argument yet.

Prayer isn't torture. Torture is torture.

[madaboutharry]

4. Negotiating with terrorists.

Is there a user manual for that? Hamas still refuses to provide information on who is dead and who is alive.

[speak easy]

6. 'Is there a user manual for that?'

When negotiating for the release of hostages, yes.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. Hamas is a shit stain

On the face of humanity. If there was a manual - they would throw it out.

[wolfie001]

9. I hope every one of them caught on film is hunted down for what they did on Oct. 7th

Biden is for a two-state solution and I support that. This area needs a permanent solution worked out for both sides. Peacefully

[moondust]

10. Q: To what extent

is Bibi trying to sabotage President Biden's reelection in order to get his pal TSF elected who will give him the green light to do whatever he wants to do?

Asking for a friend.

[maxsolomon]

12. Hamas and Israel keep adding conditions.

Hamas demanding that the IDF withdraw from Gaza.
Israel demanding that a list of surviving hostages be provided first.

Neither has any motivation to help Biden with regards to domestic US politics.

Netanyahu would be happy to see Trump back in office; he'd have a free hand.

[DavidDvorkin]

13. The Israeli demand you list is a mild and reasonable one

The Hamas demand is extreme and absurd.

[maxsolomon]

14. I think it's reasonable, too, but it's become a sticking point.

Because of it, per Democracy Now this morning, Netanyahu is "boycotting" the talks in Cairo - which they interpret as a delay tactic.

Biden should never have given today as a target date. The spin won't be positive for him.