WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday of a “very dangerous” situation if Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas fail to reach a Gaza ceasefire by the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking to reporters, Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “If we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous.” He underscored that there should be “no excuses” for Israel to restrict the entry of relief supplies into Gaza.
The holy month of Ramadan is set to commence on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between Hamas and international mediators broke up on Tuesday in Cairo with no breakthrough, leaving the prospect of a truce in Gaza uncertain as the start of the holy month of Ramadan looms just days away.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told Reuters that the Palestinian resistance group had presented its proposal for a ceasefire agreement to the international mediators during two days of talks, and was now waiting for a response from the Israelis, who stayed away from this round.
With Israeli representatives abstaining from the talks, Bassem Naim pointedly remarked that the onus was now on the United States to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to engage in negotiations.
Israel’s decision to refrain from participation reportedly stemmed from Hamas’s refusal to comply with its demand for a comprehensive list of living hostages. Naim argued that such a list was unattainable without first securing a ceasefire, given the dispersed nature of hostages across the conflict zone.
The talks in Cairo had been anticipated as the final hurdle in achieving the war’s first extended ceasefire—a 40-day truce aimed at facilitating the release of hostages and bolstering aid efforts to mitigate a looming famine before Ramadan starts.
Blinken Urges Hamas to Accept Immediate Ceasefire with Israel
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday asked Hamas to accept an “immediate ceasefire” with Israel as the Palestinian resistance group’s delegation met Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo.
During a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Washington, Blinken emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire agreement to bring an end to the ongoing hostilities and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We have an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian aid getting to Palestinians who so desperately need it, and can also set the conditions for an enduring resolution,” Blinken asserted.
He underscored the crucial role of Hamas in making decisions regarding their readiness to engage in a ceasefire with Israel, highlighting the potential for a cessation of Israeli violence to pave the way for a sustainable peace agreement.
Prime Minister Al-Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire negotiations, reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to facilitating a peaceful resolution and expressed determination to overcome challenges hindering the progress towards peace.
“Despite whoever is trying to undermine the efforts of bringing peace, we want to bring peace, we want to see an end of the humanitarian suffering, we want to see the hostages back with their families,” Al-Thani said.
