US brokering Israel-Hamas hostage deal to include 6-week pause in fighting, Biden says

President Biden said Monday the United States is working on brokering a deal that would lead to a release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza that could lead to a six-week pause in fighting in order to give officials more time to find “something more enduring.”

Biden said he discussed the ongoing negotiations, which involve the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar, during a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, who was at the White House on Monday.

“As the king and I discussed today, the United States is working on hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which would bring an immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks,” Biden said. “Which we could then take the time to build something more enduring.”

“The key elements of the deal are on the table. There’s gaps that remain, but I’ve encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal. The United States will do everything possible to make it happen,” he said.