For the leaders of both Hamas and Israel, ending the war in Gaza has become a deadly game of survival. That transition between talks on a limited hostage-for-prisoner deal to discussions about a permanent ceasefire would, Mr Biden acknowledged, be “difficult”. The US says it has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council supporting the ceasefire plan outlined by President Biden. Phase one, as outlined by Mr Biden, would see the release of dozens of hostages, both living and dead. Hamas leaders, on the other hand, are likely to want permanent ceasefire guarantees upfront.
