2024-02-29 17:58:07
(CNN) — US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar today, a White House official said, and a call took place between the US and Qatari foreign ministers, in light of the killing and wounding of hundreds of civilians who were waiting to receive food aid in Gaza on Thursday, which is The incident, which Biden said he was aware of its impact on the ceasefire negotiations.
A US official said the deadly event at a food distribution site in Gaza on Thursday increases the urgency of ceasefire talks, but said it was not clear now whether this would speed up the talks or derail them.
The official added, saying of the event: “It makes reaching a ceasefire even more urgent.”
Biden said earlier that his administration was looking into what happened in Gaza, where more than 100 people were killed and hundreds injured, and he acknowledged that the event would complicate negotiations in the region.
“We are checking that,” Biden told CNN correspondent Arlette Saenz at the White House. “Now there are two contradictory versions of what happened that I don’t have an answer yet.”
When Saenz asked him if he was concerned that the deaths and injuries would complicate negotiations, he replied: “I know it will.”
But Biden remains optimistic that an agreement on the hostages and a possible ceasefire can be reached soon.
The American President said: “Hope springs eternal,” and continued: “I was on the phone with figures in the region. I am still (optimistic), most likely not by Monday (the agreement is completed), but I am optimistic.”
Earlier this week, Biden said an agreement might be reached by the end of the week.
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