'A chance to stand down': Can US pressure lead to Gaza deal, curb Iran attack on Israel?

TEL AVIV — Mediators engaged in intense efforts on a cease-fire and hostage- and prisoner-release deal between Israel and Hamas are hoping an unusual plea issued Thursday by their leaders and a positive response by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can stave off an escalation with Iran leading to all-out war in the region.

In the most hopeful statement yet by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding a deal, his office announced Thursday that an Israeli delegation would travel on Aug. 15 “to finalize the details for implementing the framework agreement.” 

The statement came hours after an atypical joint announcement by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani calling on Israel and Hamas “to resume urgent discussions in Doha or Cairo to close remaining gaps” and “commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”

“There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay,” the three leaders asserted. “It is time to release the hostages, begin the cease-fire, and implement this agreement.”