Biden claims Hamas is no longer able to carry out significant attacks on Israel

President Joe Biden stated on Friday that Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel. He urged Israelis and Hamas to come to a deal to release remaining hostages for an extended cease-fire.

Biden addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war as the Israeli military confirmed on Friday that its forces are now operating in central parts of Rafah in its expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city.

“This is truly a decisive moment,” Biden said, referring to a three-phase deal that Israeli officials have proposed to Hamas. “Israel has made their proposal. Hamas says it wants a cease-fire. This deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it.”

Israel initiated its war in Gaza after Hamas’ attack on October 7th, during which militants entered southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of about 250. Israel estimates that approximately 100 hostages are still held in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more.

Cease-fire negotiations came to a standstill earlier in the month following efforts by the U.S. and other mediators to secure a deal, aimed at preventing a planned Israeli invasion of Rafah.

The negotiations hit a roadblock due to Hamas’ insistence on guarantees that the war will end and Israeli troops will fully withdraw from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages, a demand that Israel has rejected.