FLASH
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Hamas representatives will continue to stay in Cairo for another day at the request of mediators, while ceasefire talks continue without any progress, an official of the militant group said on Tuesday.
The talks in the Egyptian capital are seen as the last chance to reach the first extended ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, before the start of the month of Ramadan.
A day earlier the US Vice President reiterated her call for an "immediate" six-week ceasefire in Gaza as she met with a senior member of the Israeli war cabinet.
But, as the Voice of America correspondent in the White House, Anita Powell, reports, analysts and protesters are skeptical about the possibility of reaching an agreement within these days.
The ceasefire sought by the Palestinians for months, as Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, may soon be reached.
Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris became the first official in President Biden's administration to publicly call for Israeli forces and Hamas to lay down their arms in the conflict that began after the October 7 attack by Palestinian militants against Israel.
"Given the high level of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire, for at least the next six weeks, which is currently on the table," Ms Harris said.
This deal comes with conditions. On Monday, White House officials told reporters that Hamas is continuing to consider Israel's proposal that includes the release of the hostages. The administration did not provide further details on the negotiations.
But the debate over the fate of Gaza has become very public. On Monday, as Ms. Harris met with a member of the Israeli war cabinet, a small group of protesters gathered outside the White House to voice their displeasure.
"Cease fire for six weeks? Then what? It's not fair. A truce is a truce. Complete ceasefire. Maybe they want to buy time for the election? It's a game, which we don't believe", says Mona Sadeq from the American-Palestinian Women's Association.
Analysts say that while Ms. Harris's stance on the issue is important, her demands may come with conditions.
"It is important to analyze where she supported this position, because the administration for a long time has been asking for a ceasefire, but within the framework of a specific agreement. If her call is a repetition of this, the only thing that matters is that this is the first time that a senior administration official has correctly and appropriately expressed empathy with victims on both sides of the conflict," says Trita Parsi from the Quincy Institute. for Responsible Governance.
Another question raised by the White House itself is whether Hamas, which the United States has declared a terrorist organization, will accept the agreement to stop the war, in which tens of thousands of civilians have been killed.
"The demands expressed so far by the administration of President Biden, including the release of all hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire, I think are impossible for Hamas to accept, because they are giving up all the tools they have in hand for a temporary cessation of hostilities rather than a permanent solution. I think it will be very complicated", says Mr. Parsi.
It remains to be seen if the fighting will stop at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, or if it will intensify. / VOA
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