Biden urges Qatar to pressure Hamas in accepting cease-fire proposal

President Biden on Monday urged Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to pressure Hamas to accept the cease-fire proposal Israel offered.

The two leaders spoke on the phone, during which they confirmed that the cease-fire and hostage release deal is on the table and that the next step is Hamas taking it.

The president on Friday announced the terms of an Israel-led proposal that includes a three-part road map to an end to fighting and the release of all remaining hostages, signaling the strongest indication yet of an end to the war since the Oct. 7 attacks.

“The President confirmed Israel’s readiness to move forward with the terms that have now been offered to Hamas,” according to a readout of the call. “He urged Amir Tamim to use all appropriate measures to secure Hamas’ acceptance of the deal and affirmed that Hamas is now the only obstacle to a complete cease-fire and relief for the people of Gaza.”

Israel offered the deal after conversations with the United States and the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, as well as other Middle Eastern countries, Biden said Friday. The proposal was transmitted to Hamas via Qatar on Thursday.

Biden, on the call on Monday, “emphasized that this is the best possible opportunity for an agreement, and that Hamas’ ongoing refusal to release hostages would only prolong the conflict and deny relief to the people of Gaza,” according to the White House.

He also confirmed that the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar would “would work to ensure the full implementation of the entire agreement.”

The three phases of the road map include an initial phase involving a six-week cease-fire, then a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of all remaining hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7. It also includes parameters for internally displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and reconstruction efforts of the devastated coastal enclave.