Israel and Hamas 'not as optimistic' as Joe Biden for a ceasefire

Although US President Joe Biden has claimed a Gaza ceasefire is now closer than ever, former Lebanon ambassador Ian Parmeter claims that Israel and Hamas are not as “optimistic”. “The bigger issue it seems to be at this stage both Israel and Hamas are not nearly as optimistic about the outcome of these talks as President Biden has been,” Mr Parmeter told Sky News Australia. “The other factor is that the Biden administration putting pressure on all parties has to be very careful not to take action which could actually put the very delicate talks at risk before they resume in Cairo this coming week. “There have been several Israeli strikes in Gaza, but also in the West Bank and also in Lebanon which certainly won’t do much to heighten the atmosphere for the talks.”