Gaza ceasefire 'still possible', Biden says

US President 'working literally every single day' to ensure conflict does not escalate into regional war

Joe Biden appears to be focusing the last days of his presidency on ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas. AP

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that a ceasefire deal for Gaza was “still possible” and that his team is continuing to work to avoid regional escalation.

“The plan I put together, endorsed by the G7, endorsed by the UN Security Council, et cetera, is still viable,” Mr Biden said in an interview with CBS, his first since he ended his campaign for re-election last month.

“And I'm working literally every single day – and my whole team – to see to it that it doesn't escalate into a regional war. But it easily can.”

With a matter of months in the White House, Mr Biden appears focused on ending the conflict.

The US, Qatar and Egypt released a statement on Thursday calling on Hamas and Israel to return to the negotiating table on August 15.

The goal of the talks will be to “close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay”, according to the statement.

Ahead of the joint statement's release, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said negotiations were in their “final stage”.

“President [Joe] Biden spoke today to President [Abdel Fattah] El Sisi of Egypt and to Emir [Sheikh] Tamim of Qatar,” Mr Blinken said.

“As the leaders discussed, the negotiations have now reached a final stage and they agreed on the urgency of bringing this process to closure. It's critical that all parties work to finalise an agreement as soon as possible.”

Fears of regional escalation are high as the Middle East braces for Iran's response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran – which has been blamed on Israel – less than two weeks ago.

While Iran has vowed to retaliate, it has said it would support any agreement accepted by Hamas.

“We have the legitimate right to self-defence,” Iran's mission to the UN said.

“However, we hope that our response will be timed and conducted in a manner not to the detriment of the potential ceasefire.”

Mr Biden's comments on his ceasefire hopes come after Israel bombed a school in Gaza where about 2,400 Palestinians were sheltering. The strike killed about 100 people.

Israel has said a Hamas had been using part of the school as a command and control centre.

The White House said on Saturday that it was “deeply concerned” over reports of civilian casualties.

“We know Hamas has been using schools as locations to gather and operate out of, but we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimise civilian harm,” a National Security Council representative said in a statement.