President Joe Biden is working hard to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas before he leaves office in January, according to a report from Politico. With time running out, Biden is pushing his team to secure a ceasefire, aiming to bring peace to the Middle East and end a conflict that has lasted nearly a year.
According insiders, Biden is determined to finish this task and leave a lasting legacy, possibly avoiding any political regrets later. He’s pressuring his advisors to keep working toward a ceasefire. During a recent meeting in the Situation Room, Biden reportedly told his national security team to “keep fucking trying.” It’s clear he’s serious about ending the conflict.
If Biden can achieve a ceasefire, it would boost his reputation as a peacemaker and help Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. His key team members include Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CIA Director Bill Burns, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. They’re all focused on making the ceasefire a reality. If this were a group project, you’d want them on your team because they’re doing all the heavy lifting.
Talks about a ceasefire are set to continue this week, but some experts are skeptical. The situation is complicated, with many parties involved, including Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar. Trying to get everyone to agree is like untangling a bunch of headphones after they’ve been thrown in a bag. It’s a mess, and some insiders doubt whether a ceasefire can be reached before Biden leaves office.
One U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal last week that “no deal is imminent.” This comment feels a lot like the letdown after staying up too late watching TV and realizing you have school in the morning. It’s not very encouraging.
There are major obstacles to making a deal. For one, Israel wants to keep its troops stationed along the Egyptian-Gazan border, worried that Hamas might use the area to smuggle in weapons. Meanwhile, Hamas is saying they won’t agree to anything unless Israel completely pulls out of Gaza. It’s like trying to pick a movie with a group of friends—one person wants a rom-com, and the other insists on watching a horror film.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas also involves prisoners and hostages. It’s like a tense chess game, with neither side willing to make the first move. Despite Biden’s efforts, the chances of a deal seem slim.
“I’m not optimistic we’re going to see a deal anytime soon,” said Democratic Senator Chris Coons from Delaware. He sounds like he’s ready to give up on the idea.
As the days go by and tensions rise, Biden’s public statements have remained hopeful. But his officials are struggling to deal with the stubbornness of Hamas during negotiations. “We’ve run into some resistance,” said White House spokesperson John Kirby last Wednesday. It’s basically the diplomatic way of saying it’s been as hard as convincing a kid to eat their vegetables.
At the United Nations General Assembly Biden emphasizes that the world cannot turn a blind eye to the events of October 7, stating that any nation has both the right and duty to prevent a similar attack from ever occurring again.
Biden discussed the violent attacks carried out by Hamas. He pointed out that thousands of Hamas terrorists, supported by Iran, invaded Israel, killing over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans. The attacks took place in people’s homes and at a music festival.
Biden then shifted his focus to the suffering in Gaza. “Innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell.” He went on to state that Palestinians ” didn’t ask for this war that Hamas started.”
