Biden on hostage deal between Israel, Hamas

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that negotiations on a potential ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Palestinian extremist group Hamas are “making progress.”

“The trend is positive,” Biden said in a news conference at a NATO summit in Washington, adding that the framework was now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas.”

“Biden said that it was now a matter of working out the details.

“These are difficult, complex issues. There are still gaps to close.

“We have a chance now. It’s time to end this war. I just have to keep moving to make sure that we get as much done as we can toward a ceasefire,” Biden added.

Israel and Hamas revived indirect talks on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza last week.

The negotiations, which the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are mediating, focus on a three-stage plan laid out by Biden in May.

It foresees the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails as well as the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

The talks had been at a standstill for weeks, with Hamas insisting that Israel end the war in Gaza in return for the around 120 Israeli hostages still held by militants.

Israel would like to maintain the option of military intervention in Gaza even after all remaining hostages have been released.

But the Palestinian Islamist group recently signalled a degree of flexibility and sent Israel a new proposal last week.