Biden before leaving the White House: We are making some progress regarding the Gaza agreement

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that real progress is being made towards reaching an agreement on Gaza, as negotiators continue to seek a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

"We're making some real progress, I met with the negotiators today," Biden told reporters at the White House. "I'm still hopeful that we can do a prisoner swap."

As usual for the US administration, Biden accused Hamas, saying: “Hamas is the one standing in the way of this exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get it done, we need to get it done.”

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Blinken said that negotiators are “very close” to an agreement on hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He said at a press conference on the sidelines of his visit to France, adding that “we hope to accomplish it in the time we have left” of the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden, before handing over power to Trump on the 20th of this month.

Hamas confirms making concessions

For his part, a Hamas official said on Wednesday that reaching an agreement with Israel depends on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to the issues of a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leader Taher al-Nunu added, "We are not far from an agreement if there is a response from Netanyahu on the issues of a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal." He pointed out, "We have made many concessions in order to make the mediation efforts for a ceasefire successful and to end the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip."

He continued, "But every time we were confronted with Israeli intransigence, rejection and sabotage of all those efforts and a return to square one because Netanyahu wants to evade any commitments that would lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."

Hamas stipulates that any agreement with Israel must include a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, while Israel seeks to reach a partial prisoner exchange deal with Hamas without any commitment to implement the two conditions.

Gaza between Trump's threats and Biden's optimism

As Payne, who is leaving the White House, is optimistic, US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his threat to open the gates of “hell” on the Middle East if Hamas does not release Israeli prisoners held in Gaza before he arrives at the White House on January 20.

Hamas rejected Trump’s threats. “It is better for Trump to think about making mediation efforts successful and ending the war in Gaza instead of threats that will only bring more destruction and killing to our Palestinian people,” Nunu said.

On December 16, 2024, Trump said, following a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that “it would not be nice if the hostages held by Hamas were not released before I take office” on January 20.

Trump, who takes office on January 20, warned on December 2 of “all hell” in the region if the Israeli detainees were not released.

“Everyone talks about the hostages being held violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world in the Middle East, but it’s all talk and no action,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“If the hostages are not released by January 20, 2025, the date on which I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be an unparalleled hell in the Middle East, and those responsible for these atrocities against humanity will face severe punishment,” he added.

Source: Agencies