Biden announces ‘another push’ for Gaza cease-fire, with Türkiye among mediators

WASHINGTON (AA) – President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that the US will make “another push” with Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

“Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza. They too deserve an end to the fighting and displacement,” Biden said in televised remarks following the announcement of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Biden administration views the Lebanon cease-fire deal as a potential “game changer” that could bring Hamas back to negotiations with Israel, according to a senior administration official.

In his remarks, Biden also called on Hamas to release the prisoners, including American citizens, and bring an end to the fighting, which, he said, would enable a surge in humanitarian relief.

“The people of Gaza have been through hell. Their world is absolutely shattered. Far too many civilians in Gaza have suffered far too much,” he added.

Israel has killed nearly 44,000 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza since October last year, according to official figures.

The onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the enclave, and a blockade has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, pushing the population to the brink of starvation.

International organizations and aid groups have warned that the entire population of Gaza – over 2 million people – is at risk of famine due to Israel’s continuing relentless attacks and strict blockade.