US President Joe Biden has expressed optimism about a ceasefire in Gaza.

He said, “We are closer than we’ve ever been” to a ceasefire in Gaza “but we’re not there yet,” as talks in the region paused until next week.

“I don’t want to jinx anything … we may have something. But we’re not there yet,” Biden told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office.

He stated, “It’s much, much closer than it was three days ago. So, keep your fingers crossed.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, Israel hopes that pressure from mediators and the United States will lead to Hamas accepting a ceasefire proposed by Israel on May 27, 2024.

“Israel appreciates the efforts of the US and the mediators to dissuade Hamas from its rejection to the hostage deal,” it said in a statement.

It added, “Israel’s fundamental principles are well known to the mediators and the US, and Israel hopes that their pressure will lead Hamas to accept the principles of May 27, so that the details of the agreement can be implemented.”

Hamas has said that it wants mediators to put pressure on Israel to accept the plan proposed by Biden on May 31.

Netanyahu has reportedly sought several new conditions on a ceasefire since then.

Speaking to a news agency, Israeli political Analyst, Ori Goldberg opined that increased pressure from the US and domestic politics in Israel could mean a ceasefire is close.

Goldberg said that there remains widespread support for the war in Gaza among Israelis even though many dislike Netanyahu personally.

He noted that the Israeli leader is aware of this and could make the political calculation that reaching a deal would not have political fallout for him.

“I’m basing this not on Netanyahu having a change of heart but on changing conditions, on Iran’s restraint and on the general sort of sense of urgency that seems to have taken hold,” he said.

UN Says Seven-Day Ceasefire Needed For Polio Vaccination Drive

Separately, the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) and children’s fund (UNICEF) renewed their request for a Gaza truce to allow for a mass polio vaccination campaign, saying a seven-day pause is needed to complete the initiative.

The agencies are planning the vaccination drive because samples of polio, which can cause paralysis, have been found in Gaza’s wastewater, while several children have shown symptoms consistent with the infectious disease.

Planned for late August and early September, the campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of 10, against type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2).

It will take 2,700 health workers to deliver the vaccinations in two rounds across the Strip, it added.

“Without the humanitarian pauses, the delivery of the campaign will not be possible,” the agencies said.

On July 30, 2024, the Health Ministry in Gaza declared the Palestinian territory to be a “polio epidemic zone,” blaming the reappearance of the virus on Israel’s 10-month military offensive and the resulting destruction of health facilities.

A member of Hamas’ political bureau, Izzat al-Rishq, said in a statement that the Palestinian armed group supports the UN request for a seven-day humanitarian pause to vaccinate children against polio.

Meanwhile, Israel on Friday, August 16, 2024, issued new evacuation orders for south Gaza, covering some areas it previously dedicated as a “humanitarian safe zone.”

Al-Mawasi, also called a “safe zone” by Israel, was hit by airstrikes, killing two Palestinians.