WSJ: US officials acknowledge Gaza ceasefire unlikely before Biden’s term ends

Senior US officials are now privately conceding that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, along with a deal to release hostages, may not be reached before the end of President Biden’s term, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

This acknowledgment comes after months of optimism from the Biden administration that a breakthrough was within reach, Caliber.Az reports via the Wall Street Journal.

“No deal is imminent,” one US official said on the condition of anonymity. “I’m not sure it ever gets done.”

The administration remains committed to pursuing an agreement, viewing it as crucial for halting the war in Gaza and preventing a broader conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. White House officials previously expressed hope that an agreement was close, with reports suggesting that “90 percent” of the deal’s terms had been agreed upon. However, progress has since stalled.

Two key issues have hindered negotiations. The ratio of Palestinian prisoners that Israel must release in exchange for Hamas-held hostages remains a sticking point, exacerbated by the recent killing of six hostages by Hamas, including an American citizen. The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah has also further complicated the situation, making the possibility of all-out war more likely.

Another challenge, US officials say, is Hamas’s unwillingness to finalize the deal after its demands were met. “Hamas keeps making demands, but when we agree, they still won’t say ‘yes,’” a senior official familiar with the negotiations said. This has led to growing frustration within the administration, which believes Hamas is not serious about reaching an agreement.

Meanwhile, critics accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately sabotaging the process to satisfy the hard-right factions of his governing coalition.

“There’s no chance now of it happening,” an official from an Arab country involved in the negotiations said, following a recent Israeli operation against Hezbollah. “Everyone is in a wait-and-see mode until after the election. The outcome will determine what can happen in the next administration.”