Israel Considers Ceasefire in Gaza Amidst Targeting of Hamas Military Sites with Egyptian Mediation

As U.S. President Joe Biden and other prominent American figures expressed concerns about the recent Israeli strikes in Gaza, Israeli officials indicated on Sunday that an agreement for a "ceasefire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad could be imminent," according to the "Times of Israel." Israeli officials told the "Walla" news site, ahead of a meeting of the security cabinet that took place on Sunday, that Israel is beginning to move towards a ceasefire after targeting several military sites of Hamas, alongside the "need to respond to increasing international pressure." The officials, whose names were not disclosed, stated, "As with previous agreements between Israel and armed factions in Gaza, the ceasefire will be mediated by Egypt." The site reported that "UN envoy Tor Wennesland is leading intensive talks with Israeli officials, including National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat, as well as leaders in Hamas and Egyptian officials, in an effort to mediate a ceasefire." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed in an interview with CBS News on Sunday his hope that the fighting would not last long and that he would do whatever it takes to "restore order in the region and end the rocket attacks launched by Hamas." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also made phone calls on Sunday to his counterparts in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as the U.S. seeks to de-escalate the confrontations between Israelis and Palestinians. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that "Blinken reiterated his call for all parties to ease tensions and halt the violence that has resulted in the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children."