The Biden administration faces major challenges in negotiating a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after months of intense work. This has raised doubts in the White House about whether the conflict between Israel and Hamas can end before Joe Biden’s presidential term ends, CNN reports.
Despite insistence from Biden and his top advisers that a deal will be reached, negotiations have hit major roadblocks in recent days, changing the overall mood.
U.S. officials have expressed growing skepticism that Hamas and its leader Yahya Sinwar are really seeking a deal. The group is accused of obstructing negotiations following the recent execution of six hostages in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dampened American optimism even as Biden officials avoided openly criticizing him. Netanyahu said bluntly this week that a deal had not yet been reached and expressed support for Israel’s continued presence in southwestern Gaza, despite international calls, including from the United States, for a full troop withdrawal.
Meanwhile, protests have intensified in Israel against the Netanyahu government over its failure to reach a deal that would allow more than 100 hostages, including Americans, to return home.
U.S. officials say Hamas bears the primary responsibility for the stalemate. Hamas may “never want a deal,” according to one senior administration official. This view is shared by many U.S. officials, both publicly and privately.
Asked whether increasing pressure on Netanyahu would help secure a deal, another senior official said: “The president has chosen his path to get Netanyahu across the finish line.”
As for the use of influence against Israel, such as weapons restrictions, the official said it was unclear whether these measures would change the behavior of the government, which includes figures such as Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that both sides – Israel and Hamas – must “come to an agreement” on outstanding issues.
If a ceasefire is not reached in the coming months, it will be a major disappointment and a foreign policy failure for Biden, who has devoted much time, effort and political capital to resolving the conflict. Biden has stepped up his peace efforts in recent weeks, especially since his campaign ended, the sources said.
Advisers say Biden has become more free on calls with regional leaders as he focuses on foreign policy and the Gaza conflict. He has been actively reaching out to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar in recent weeks in hopes of reaching a final deal.
A senior Democrat close to the White House described Biden as someone who has recently become “obsessed” with the issue.
Cursor previously reported that Joe Biden spent 40% of his time as US president on vacation.
