Gaza peace deal is now ‘on the brink’

Biden raises hopes as he and Trump seek resolution

- Mark Reynolds

TALKS between Israel and Hamas resumed yesterday after outgoing US President Joe Biden declared a Gaza peace deal was "on the brink".

In his final foreign policy address he promised the agreement would include a hostage release deal and a "surge" of aid to Palestinians.

He said: "So many innocent people have been killed, so many communities have been destroyed. Palestinian people deserve peace.

"The deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started." His speech on Monday - a day after he phoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the deal - was designed to showcase Mr Biden's foreign policy achievements before he steps down next Monday.

He also hailed Washington's support for Israel during two Iranian attacks last year. He said: "All told, Iran is weaker than it's been in decades." Discussions between Israeli and Hamas representatives started up again in the Qatari capital Doha yesterday, with US and Arab mediators saying they were making significant progress.