-There is a framework agreement. The Israelis more or less accepted it, a representative of the Joe Biden administration told a reporter in a phone interview. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added, “The ball is now in Hamas' court.”
According to unofficial reports, negotiators are scheduled to intensify their efforts to reach an agreement before the Ramadan holiday, which begins in a week.
– If Hamas agrees to release a certain category of hostages, i.e. the sick, wounded, elderly and women, the six-week ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip will enter into force, the US administration representative confirmed.
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US officials hope the ceasefire will make way for a “more sustainable” peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, which have been at war since the October 7 attack on Israel. A Hamas delegation is scheduled to head to Cairo on Saturday for ceasefire talks, Agence France-Presse reported.
A ceasefire would enable a “significant increase” in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Earlier, the United Nations warned of an imminent famine in the north of the besieged area.
American military aircraft dropped about 38,000 weapons on the Gaza Strip. Meals within the first round of humanitarian aid approved by President Joe Biden – As reported by the Associated Press, on Saturday.
However, officials say this will not replace aid via land corridors. Another US official told reporters, quoted by Agence France-Presse: “This is the most effective way to provide assistance on a large scale.”
