The leaders of the U.S., Egypt and Qatar called for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks next week in either Doha or Cairo.
In a joint statement, President Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani urged both parties \"to resume urgent discussion\" on Aug. 15 \"to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.\"
\"It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families,\" the statement said, urging Israel and Hamas to refrain from further delays. \"The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.\"
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been mediating the previous cease-fire discussions. Thursday's joint statement came hours after the White House said Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks are \"close\" and amid fears of a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
The framework agreement on the table is based on the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31 and endorsed by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2735, the statement said.
Israel launched a rare airstrike on Lebanon's capital of Beirut on July 30, killing Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, a close advisor to Hezbollah's secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. A day later, the longtime chairman of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated at his guesthouse in Tehran — Iran blames Israel — hours after attending the inauguration of incoming Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian.
If cease-fire talks go ahead according to the proposed timeline, CIA Director William Burns is expected to travel and take part for the U.S.
Haniyeh was Hamas' lead negotiator in cease-fire negotiations with Israel, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt. His negotiation role seems to have fallen to Yahya Sinwar, who is now the leader of Hamas' political wing and allegedly masterminded Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. Sinwar is believed to be in hiding in Gaza's underground tunnels.
\"We are as close as we think we have ever been,\" National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday, referencing the cease-fire talks. \"The gaps are narrow enough that they can be closed. What we're talking about here is recognizing the fact that we've come an awful long way.\"
However, longtime former Israeli negotiator Gershon Baskin told CBS News in Jerusalem, \"I have no idea where it's coming from.\"
\"Seems detached from reality but maybe they know something that we don't,\" he said.
On whether the White House's comment could be an attempt at applying public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal, Baskin said, \"could be, behind the scenes the Americans are pushing hard,\" but added, \"I don't think Netanyahu cares. He's against Biden.\"
\"We are moving forward to victory,\" he told recruits. \"We are prepared for both defense and attack, we strike at our enemies and are also determined to defend ourselves.\"
Days earlier, Netanyahu said Israel is already in a \"multi-front war.\"
\"There is likely not to be much progress (on a cease-fire) unless Netanyahu changes his course,\" said Baskin \"or unless, of course, they find and kill Sinwar.\"
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