Israel’s 15-month campaign has depleted the group’s military strength, sapped its political influence and opened a void in leadership inside the Gaza Strip.
President Biden touted the deal from Washington, saying his administration and President-elect Trump’s team were “speaking as one” in the negotiations; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped “details will be finalized tonight.
“You waved the white flag before Netanyahu!” yelled blogger MAX BLUMENTHAL. Blumenthal is credentialed by the State Department and runs a site accused of downplaying human rights abuses by China, Russia and former Syrian dictator BASHAR ASSAD. “How does it feel to have your legacy be genocide!”
The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.
The Israel-Hamas war, now nearing a potential ceasefire, has devastated the Gaza Strip. Satellite photos offer some sense of the destruction in the territory, which has been largely sealed off to journalists and others.
President Joe Biden touted a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, a goal his administration has been working toward for more than a year now.
Last minute negotiations between Hamas and Israel on a ceasefire deal delayed the release of hostages by a day.
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants was poised to receive a final endorsement from Israel’s Cabinet Friday and could take effect as early as Sunday, but the critical political question of who will govern Gaza over the long run has once again been put off for another day.