President Joe Biden is reportedly urgently commanding those in his orbit to try to quickly secure an Israel-Hamas ceasefire as his term approaches its end, according to Politico.
Pressure has grown on Biden, who has often touted his foreign policy experience during his political career, to help orchestrate an end to the Israel-Hamas war that began almost a year ago and has embroiled the Middle East in a broader regional conflict. With the prospect of his legacy being stained by a failure to secure a ceasefire before his term ends in January, Biden is pressing those closest to him to find a solution as soon as possible, Politico reported on Monday, citing U.S. officials who spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity, given that they weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
“Keep fucking trying,” Biden reportedly told his national security officials in a recent meeting in the Situation Room, according to one of the participants of the meeting who spoke to Politico.
A successful ceasefire deal could also notch a separate win for Biden — he believes it will improve Vice President Kamala Harris’ own shot at the presidency in the November election, according to three officials who spoke to Politico. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CIA Director Bill Burns and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan have all been tasked to make a ceasefire deal their top focus before Biden’s term comes to a close.
Though ceasefire talks are expected to continue this week, it’s unlikely an agreement will be reached in the near future, according to the officials who spoke to Politico. The situation between Israel and Hamas — and the other players in ongoing discussions, such as Egypt and Qatar — has become so convoluted and contentious that Biden may have too little control to steer negotiations.
Some in Biden’s orbit reportedly don’t believe a ceasefire can be reached between now and the time he leaves the Oval Office in January.
“No deal is imminent,” one U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal last week. “I’m not sure it ever gets done.”
There are multiple roadblocks to getting a deal done, none of which seem to have immediate or easy solutions. One challenge is that Israel wants to keep troops along the Egyptian-Gazan border, citing concerns that Hamas operatives use it as a causeway to smuggle in weapons. Hamas has rejected those terms, as it wants Israel out of Gaza completely in order for a deal to be agreed to.
Another problem is the ongoing disputes between Israel and Hamas over the hostage-prisoner swap aspect of the deal. Neither side has been able to agree on how many hostages in Gaza could be released in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, nor have they agreed on the timing of such a swap.
“No one has worked harder for a hostage and ceasefire deal than Joe Biden and his senior aides,” Democratic Delaware Sen. Chris Coons told Politico. “But I’m not optimistic we’re going to see a deal anytime soon.”
The dwindling chances that a ceasefire can be reached are contrasted by statements made by Biden in recent months, as he has claimed on several occasions that a deal would be reached in short order. Biden’s own officials continue to publicly maintain a deal is possible but have seemingly become more frustrated with Hamas’ obstinance in negotiations.
“We have run into some resistance,” White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters last Wednesday. “And we’re just not … any closer today than we were a few days ago.”
Biden is expected to make his case for a ceasefire in New York during an address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, along with addressing a number of other geopolitical challenges, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. It will be Biden’s last address to the General Assembly.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Flickr/Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)
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