President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet in the White House Situation Room to discuss strategies for securing the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
This urgent meeting follows the tragic discovery of six dead hostages, including an Israeli-American, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled. The Biden administration is reportedly working with Egyptian and Qatari governments to present a "take it or leave it" final outline for a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.
White House Pushes For Final Ceasefire Agreement
The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas. A senior White House official, speaking to the Washington Post, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating:
You can't keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point.
This statement underscores the administration's stance that the current round of negotiations could be the last American-led attempt if both parties fail to reach an agreement.
The discovery of the six deceased hostages, believed to have been killed on Thursday or Friday, has added pressure to the negotiations. Three or four of these hostages were reportedly slated for release in the initial phase of a potential agreement.
Mounting Pressure On Israeli Government
In Israel, public sentiment is shifting towards demanding immediate action for the hostages' return. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of the remaining captives.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with 101 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, seven of whom are American citizens. The families of these American hostages met with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk on Sunday to discuss recent developments.
According to a joint statement from the American hostage families, Sullivan informed them that the coming days would be crucial in efforts to free the remaining hostages.
Biden's Response To Hostage Deaths
President Biden, who cut short his Labor Day vacation to attend the Situation Room meeting, expressed his condolences and determination in a statement following the confirmation of Hersh Goldberg-Polin's death. Biden said:
It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The President's words reflect the administration's commitment to resolving the hostage crisis and holding Hamas accountable for its actions.
The White House has confirmed that high-level diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure a deal for the hostages' release. The involvement of Egypt and Qatar in these negotiations highlights the international nature of the efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict.
Conclusion
The Biden administration is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. The recent deaths of six hostages have added urgency to these negotiations. With 101 hostages still in captivity, including seven Americans, the coming days are critical. The White House is pushing for a final agreement while also facing mounting pressure from both Israeli protesters and American families of the hostages.
