The Biden administration is split as to whether a ceasefire deal can be reached anytime soon after six hostages were executed by Hamas.
Israel has been experiencing political turmoil after Hamas fighters executed six hostages shortly before Israel Defense Forces reached them. Blame has shifted domestically toward the Netanyahu government, which is held responsible for not negotiating a ceasefire before the hostages were murdered. The grim political situation has led to a split in the White House, unsure of how to proceed.
"It's a rough period. People at the White House are sad, upset and frustrated. We are still working but we are not about to present anything imminently. We are in a tough spot," a U.S. official told Axios.
The recent hostage deaths, on top of the staggering casualties of nearly a year of war , have caused Israel and Hamas to toughen their stances on a hostage and ceasefire deal. Officials told the outlet that the hardening has resulted in a reassessment by many in the White House.
Axios reported President Joe Biden wants to push forward with the current deal, but others believe it would be futile at the current time.
Hamas recently announced a new clause — the release of 100 more Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis — and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on the continued occupation of the corridor connecting Gaza and Egypt. Both proposals are considered nonstarters.
The impasse has pushed the families of the remaining American hostages to reach a separate deal with Hamas, irrespective of Israel. Administration officials told the relatives they were pursuing “every option,” but preferred a deal made with Israel.
The Biden administration internally debated making a unilateral deal with Hamas in June but was met with strong opposition from some within the administration. Details of a possible deal were explored, two former and two current officials familiar with the matter told NBC News, with officials compiling a list of five people being held in U.S. prisons that Hamas may want to be released.
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The officials said the Biden administration made a preliminary outreach to Hamas about a unilateral deal through Qatari officials roughly six months ago, though the attempt didn’t gain any ground.
Meanwhile, the Israeli populace has increasingly turned against the Netanyahu government, with tens of thousands taking to the streets last week to demand a ceasefire and hostage deal. The Histadrut Labor Federation announced a nationwide strike on Monday, though it was ended early amid government pressure.
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