Biden’s Gaza Ceasefire Hopes Dampened by Complications in Talks Following Deadly Humanitarian Aid Incident.

President Joe Biden expressed skepticism on Thursday that a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is imminent, adjusting his previous predictions in light of recent diplomatic challenges.

During a visit to an ice cream shop in New York on Monday, the president had expressed optimism about a ceasefire in Gaza, stating, “My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.” However, by Thursday, his outlook had changed.

“Hope springs eternal,” Biden remarked when questioned about his earlier ceasefire forecast. He then added, “Probably not by Monday, but I’m hopeful.”

The president discussed negotiations for the release of Hamas hostages and the situation in Gaza during separate calls with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Monday.

President Biden highlighted the recent tragedy in which numerous Palestinian civilians lost their lives during an aid delivery in northern Gaza, presenting a new obstacle to any ceasefire prospects in the region.

Biden Admin Seeking Answers on Gaza Aid Stampede

Approximately 30 aid trucks approached the Nabulsi roundabout in Gaza City early Thursday morning. Details on the events that followed remain unclear, but reports indicate that people were trampled, run over, or shot.

The IDF stated on social media that Gaza residents had surrounded the trucks and looted the aid being delivered.

“Dozens of Gazans were killed and injured as a result of the pushing, trampling and being run over by the trucks,” the IDF statement detailed.

Reports also suggested that gunfire from IDF soldiers contributed to the casualties, with some witnesses claiming that Israeli forces had opened fire on the crowd even before the trucks arrived.

An IDF official indicated that Israeli soldiers fired warning shots as the crowd approached within ten meters and then aimed at the legs of those who continued to advance. Around ten civilians were reportedly struck by gunfire from the Israeli soldiers.

NTD News reached out to the IDF for further clarification on the use of weapons and additional information about the incident but received no response by the time of press.

Commenting on the situation at the Nabulsi roundabout, President Biden acknowledged the conflicting accounts of the incident and expressed belief that it complicates ceasefire negotiations.

The Gaza Health Ministry, operating under Hamas’ control, reported about 112 fatalities and over 700 injuries in the incident.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Palestinian Authority condemned the incident as a “massacre” resulting from deliberate Israeli gunfire.

The foreign ministries of Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—key players in recent peace efforts—also denounced Israel for the events at the Nabulsi roundabout.

During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the Biden administration is in contact with the Israeli government, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

H2>Ceasefire Dependent on Hostage Release: White House

In addition to the challenges posed by the Nabulsi roundabout incident, ceasefire negotiators are focusing on securing the release of more than a hundred individuals kidnapped in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced after Hamas militants breached the Gaza-Israel barrier on Oct. 7, leading to attacks across southern Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages being taken back to Gaza.

Most of the hostages have been released through exchanges or military operations, with a few recovered deceased, marking a significant development in the conflict.

President Biden discussed the ceasefire necessity in his conversations with Egyptian and Qatari leaders, highlighting the need for the release of hostages to achieve a lasting peace in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that his objectives include the safe return of all hostages and the complete defeat of Hamas.