Biden: Israel, Hamas have agreed to my ceasefire deal framework, but gaps remain

US President Joe Biden says that Israel and Hamas have agreed on a “framework” for a ceasefire-hostage release deal that he laid out in May.

Biden clarifies at a much-anticipated press conference that this doesn’t mean that the sides have reached an agreement, but he insists that progress is being made on bridging the gaps.

Biden doesn’t specify when Israel and Hamas agreed to his ceasefire framework, and it is also unclear how significant this development is, given that an Israeli official told The Times of Israel yesterday that the sides are still two or three weeks away from an agreement and have major gaps to bridge.

While the declaration appears more aimed at demonstrating a foreign policy accomplishment as Biden is under immense pressure to step aside, it is consistent with reporting yesterday in The Washington Post, which cited a US official who also said that Israel and Hamas have agreed on a “framework” to a deal.

An Israeli negotiating team has been in Cairo and Doha this week meeting with US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Biden at the press conference says the US “for months has worked to secure a ceasefire in Gaza to bring the hostages home, to create a path for peace and stability in the Middle East.”

“Six weeks ago, I laid out a detailed (ceasefire) plan in writing. It was endorsed by the UN Security Council and the G7.”

“That framework is now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas, so I sent my team to the region to hammer out the details,” Biden continues.

“These are difficult, complex issues. There are still gaps to close, but we’re making progress. The trend is positive, and I’m determined to get this deal done and bring an end to this war, which should end now,” he adds.