Talks on a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas militants were at an impasse on Wednesday, as the humanitarian crisis in Hamas-run Gaza deepened and a Houthi attack on a ship in the Gulf of Aden killed at least two people.
Negotiators from the Palestinian militants, Qatar and Egypt – but not Israel – are trying to secure a 40-day ceasefire in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.
Urging Hamas to accept the terms on the table, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that ally Israel was cooperating and “a rational offer” had been made for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.”It’s in the hands of Hamas right now,” he told reporters, warning that it would be “very dangerous” if fighting continued into Ramadan.
The United States is worried that the Gaza conflict could spread in the Middle East, especially after a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by Iran-aligned Houthi forces acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.
