‘Ceasefire Is Dead’: Biden Admin Shifts Focus To Freeing Hostages In Gaza As Chances Of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Crumble

The Biden administration has turned its focus to securing the release of hostages from Hamas as chances for a ceasefire deal appear to be fading, Politico reported on Thursday.

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas — who went to war in October after Hamas invaded Israel — has been a months-long goal of the U.S. and international negotiators, though it has been nearly impossible to reach an agreement. U.S. and Western officials have become concerned that the possibility of a ceasefire is quickly dimming, with the priority now being shifted toward freeing the remaining hostages in Gaza, according to several officials who spoke to Politico.

“The ceasefire is dead,” a Western official briefed on discussions told Politico. “It seems like the war is never going to end … even if a deal is reached. So, they are trying to get the hostages home knowing that the fighting is going to continue anyway.”

U.S., Israeli and Arab mediators are in Egypt this week to continue weeks-long negotiations on a ceasefire, in what has been described as a possible last-ditch effort to get a deal done. One of the terms for a ceasefire would be that Hamas release its remaining hostages in exchange for an end to fighting with Israel.

Behind closed doors, Biden administration officials have spent weeks focusing on the details of the hostage aspect of the deal, officials familiar with talks told Politico. Freeing the hostages from Hamas would hinge on Israel releasing a high number of Palestinian prisoners.