Biden hopeful of Gaza ceasefire by weekend

President Joe Biden expressed hope for a swift resolution between Israel and Hamas, saying a temporary ceasefire could come as early as next week, bolstering the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.

The comments coincide with the Michigan primary, where pro-Palestinian activists advocate for voters to choose “uncommitted” over the president—reflecting disapproval of his pro-Israel stance in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and over 30,000 in Gaza.

Meanwhile, on the ground
The PM of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mohammad Shtayyeh, and his government resigned yesterday. The move is perceived as a response to US-led reform efforts aimed at resolving the conflict and setting up governance in Gaza.

However, underlying issues such as the authority’s legitimacy crisis among Palestinians and strained relations with Israel pose challenges. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the PA should have no role in post-war Gaza.