Gaza ceasefire 'still possible': US President Biden

US President Joe Biden believes a cease-fire in gaza is "still possible."

To advance cease-fire negotiations and work on a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday. This is Blinken’s ninth trip to the region since the Israel launched in onsliught on Gaza in October last year.

The Israel assault on the beseiged territory followed an October 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas, which resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages taken.

According to Biden, Israel proposed a three-phase plan in May that aims to end hostilities in Gaza and ensure the release of hostages held in the coastal territory. The plan includes a cease-fire, a prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

The ongoing Israeli military operation has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians and has devastated the 2.3 million-person enclave, leaving many residents at risk of starvation and homelessness.

Hamas and other Palestinian groups have insisted that Israel adhere to previously agreed-upon terms, based on a proposal supported by Biden, and establish mechanisms for its implementation, rather than continuing negotiations amid ongoing attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the May 27 principles, which included a proposal to Egypt, Qatar, and the US (the mediators) for Israel to maintain control over the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border and the Philadelphi Corridor.

The US has presented a new plan that “builds on areas of agreement” and addresses the remaining gaps to allow for “swift implementation of the deal,” but the most recent round of negotiations in Doha ended on Friday without significant progress.

Mediators have been working for months to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas.