Biden Launches Immediate Drive for Gaza Ceasefire

President Joe Biden will renew efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza starting Wednesday, following the announcement of a truce between Israel and Hezbollah, according to his national security adviser.

The ceasefire, which began early Wednesday, signals that Hezbollah, backed by Iran, will no longer support Hamas in Gaza, potentially increasing pressure on Hamas to negotiate a ceasefire and resolve the hostage situation. This development follows talks between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just before the U.S.- and French-brokered truce was made public on Tuesday.

Biden’s administration plans to re-engage in peace talks, with U.S. envoys reaching out to regional partners, including Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, in a renewed effort to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, expressed hope that this could mark the beginning of a more stable Middle East, securing both Israel’s security and U.S. interests.

The agreement with Hezbollah provides a rare success for the Biden administration as it prepares for the transition of power to Donald Trump in January. Alongside the Gaza ceasefire efforts, Biden also aims to continue pushing for a long-discussed deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.