Updated On: 27 February, 2024 11:14 AM IST | ronak mastakar
US President Joe Biden highlighted that he hopes there will be a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict by "next Monday," as reported by CNN (Pics/AFP)

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He further said that we are close to it but it`s not done yet
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"Well, I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend," Biden said after being asked when a ceasefire might start

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"My national security adviser tells me that we`re close. We`re close, it`s not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we`ll have a ceasefire," Biden added
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Earlier on Monday, according to CNN, Hamas backed off some key demands in the negotiations for a hostage deal and paused the fighting in Gaza following Israeli accusations that its position was "delusional"

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It brought the negotiating parties closer to an initial agreement that could halt the fighting and see a group of Israeli hostages released, according to two sources familiar with the discussions
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Following the meeting held in Paris between the US, Egyptian, and Israeli intelligence chiefs and the Qatari prime minister, a senior Biden administration official said, "The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war"

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"Hamas` requirements for the number of Palestinians (prisoners that) would have to be freed have declined," the official added
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Meanwhile, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said that Hamas softened its position ahead of an agreement on the first phase of a deal, according to CNN

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However, it is expected that more challenging hurdles will emerge later when complex issues like Hamas releasing male IDF hostages and an end to the war are discussed
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