Hamas's surviving leadership, now a five-person council, has shown little inclination to negotiate, especially under the pressure of a significant Israeli military push

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Tuesday that following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the focus should now be on reaching a hostage-release and ceasefire in Gaza deal,

They agree to a ceasefire in one place and not in the other? Have mercy on the children, the elderly and the women.”