Families of captives in Gaza call for Biden to cut deal without Israel

The families of American captives currently being held in the besieged Gaza Strip by Palestinian resistance groups have called for the US to consider cutting a unilateral deal to secure the release of their loved ones.

In a recent meeting with officials, the relatives of US citizens still in captivity urged the administration of President Joe Biden to evaluate options that do not include Israel. 

The family members and some administration officials believe Netanyahu will not commit to an agreement with Hamas which would see the release of the remaining captives in exchange for a ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory.

A US official familiar with the discussions said a unilateral deal is unlikely, but the administration has compiled a list of prisoners held by the US whose release might interest Hamas.

In June, the Biden administration reportedly discussed the possibility of negotiating a unilateral deal with Hamas for the release of Americans held in Gaza if ceasefire talks involving Israel fell apart.

There are currently four Americans being held in Gaza by Palestinian groups, and Washington is also seeking the return of the remains of three others presumed dead.

‘Outrage felt around the globe’: Security Council urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza

The UNSC has expressed outrage over the lack of progress in a ceasefire aimed at terminating Israel’s months-long genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

During its operation on October 7, Hamas took 251 Israelis captive, 97 of whom now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by Israel.  

Earlier this week, President Biden said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a ceasefire deal. 

Several US officials told The New York Times this week that Netanyahu is "seeking to run out the clock until the American election" to secure a ceasefire deal that would release the remaining captives held in Gaza.

They also suggested that Netanyahu might face less pressure to make concessions for an agreement if Republican nominee and former US President Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November.

Protesters flood streets in Israel after 6 captives found dead

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have flooded the streets of Tel Aviv and the occupied city of al-Quds to demand a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.

Frustration at Netanyahu’s failure to secure an agreement with Hamas has reached a peak. On Wednesday, a mass protest was held in the occupied territories to mark the fourth straight day of anti-regime demonstrations since the bodies of six captives were found.

Hamas in a statement on Thursday blamed Netanyahu for an impasse in the Gaza ceasefire talks, saying he is seeking to torpedo the possibility of a deal that brings an end to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

The Israeli regime has failed to achieve any of its stated goals after a months-long war in the Gaza Strip. The US is a partner in the Gaza carnage as it has supplied Israel with weapons and intelligence support.

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