No ceasefire ‘in near future’ but US retains hope for deal

Hamas urged to accept proposals after coming back with amendments

Palestinian medics treat a child wounded in the Israeli bombardment of a refugee camp in central Gaza. Photo: AP

Leo Sands
© Washington Post

US president Joe Biden has said he does not expect to reach a ceasefire deal for Gaza in the near future, as an American-backed proposal with global support has not been fully embraced by Israel or Hamas.

Mr Biden said international leaders had discussed the ceasefire at the G7 summit in Italy, but when asked by reporters if a truce deal would be reached soon, he replied “no”, adding “I haven’t lost hope”.