JERUSALEM, Israel – President Joe Biden says the U.S. is working on a new deal that could lead to the release of more hostages. The potential deal follows the daring Israeli raid that rescued two of the more than 100 remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Biden announced the potential deal during a meeting Monday with Jordan’s King Abdullah at the White House.
“As the king and I discussed today, the United States is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas which would bring immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks, which we could then take the time to build something more enduring, Biden stated.
If implemented, this would put a halt to Israel’s anticipated assault on the Egyptian border town of Rafah, the last remaining major Hamas stronghold.
King Abdullah called for an immediate ceasefire and warned about a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel attacks Rafah.
Israel is sending a delegation to Cairo for more hostage talks.
The Biden administration is increasingly concerned about the political fallout from the president’s support among Arab-American and younger voters, which many believe is largely responsible for ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu and Israel.
JNS Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Tobin
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