Biden's Diplomacy: Framework for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

President Biden announces that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a framework for a ceasefire deal, based on the plan he proposed in May. The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.

President Joe Biden declared a diplomatic breakthrough on Thursday, announcing that Israel and Hamas had accepted a framework for a ceasefire agreement based on a plan he proposed in May. The announcement followed weeks of intense negotiations and diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration.

"Six weeks ago, I laid out a comprehensive framework for how to achieve a ceasefire and bring the hostages home," Biden announced on a social media platform. "There is still work to do and these are complex issues, but that framework is now agreed to by both Israel and Hamas."

Biden's Diplomacy: Framework for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

The President further emphasized, "My team is making progress, and I'm determined to get this done."

A senior Israeli official involved in the negotiations confirmed the agreement with Channel 12, an Israeli news outlet. The official highlighted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to delay the deal by demanding an enforcement mechanism to prevent Hamas operatives from returning to northern Gaza.

Biden's Diplomacy: Framework for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

"This is the moment of truth for the hostages," the official said. "We can reach an agreement within two weeks and bring the hostages home." Expressing concern over Netanyahu's insistence on an enforcement mechanism, the official warned, "It’s not clear why Netanyahu is raising this demand now. The security services know how to deal with the return of the armed terrorists to northern Gaza."

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu had insisted on the mechanism, but the negotiating team opposed the new condition as it was not part of the original Israeli proposal and impractical. Channel 12 reported that some officials suspected Netanyahu was attempting to delay the deal due to right-wing parties threatening to withdraw from his coalition if an agreement was reached.

A senior Biden administration source revealed to Fox News that the announcement was initially scheduled for Monday, as both sides had agreed to the framework and the U.S. had dispatched a delegation to finalize the details. However, the reason for the delay remains unclear.

Despite increasing calls for him to step aside, Biden has maintained his belief that he is the only candidate capable of defeating former President Donald Trump in November's election. At a press conference in Washington, D.C., Biden stressed the importance of continuity in leadership to achieve foreign policy goals.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has yet to respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.

The framework for a ceasefire deal, if implemented, would mark a significant diplomatic achievement for the Biden administration and bring an end to the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. The United States has been actively involved in mediating negotiations and urging both sides to de-escalate the violence. The announcement of the framework agreement offers hope for a cessation of hostilities and the eventual release of hostages.