“We believe it is in its final stages and a deal can be reached,” the unnamed senior administration official told reporters on the eve of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on Thursday. He and President Joe Biden will discuss remaining hurdles. Netanyahu will then meet with Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Over the past month, significant differences have been overcome in the negotiations, the official said. Israel and Hamas still have to resolve some issues, but an agreement is in sight with a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of female hostages, elderly people and wounded people over a period of 42 days.