US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are making a last-ditch effort to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal by January 20, when Biden’s term ends. The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reached a critical point just eight days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.
Biden’s team is working closely with Trump’s team to push for a deal, which includes a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages, and humanitarian aid. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said they are “very close” to an agreement but also acknowledge that there are still significant challenges to overcome.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and various military leaders, have been meeting with US counterparts in Doha to discuss the deal. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Doha to join the negotiations. Despite concerns about reaching an agreement before Trump takes office, both sides are working together to push for a breakthrough.
Biden had made mediating a deal a top priority for his final months in office, while Trump had threatened that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if Hamas did not release the hostages held in Gaza by January 20. The US and Israeli officials involved in the negotiations believe that time is running out to reach an agreement before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/12/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-biden-netanyahu