After eight months of devastating bombardment by Israeli forces, some Gazans are urging Hamas to accept a cease-fire plan outlined by President Biden, but many remain deeply skeptical that the United States, as Israel’s chief ally, would truly bring an end to the war.
“I am hopeful that Hamas will accept this deal,” said Ayman Skeik, a 31-year-old merchant driven out of his home in Gaza City by the fighting.
“But I am still scared it would not be achieved.”Like other Gazans, Mr. Skeik, who is now sheltering in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, said he had grown frustrated by the long and generally fruitless cease-fire talks.
He noted pointedly that months ago, in February, Mr. Biden suggested that a deal was imminent.
“The United States used to have a strong word when it wanted to stop any crisis in the world,” Mr. Skeik said.
Persons:
President Biden, “, ”, Ayman Skeik, Skeik, Biden, Mr
Organizations:
Mr, White
Locations:
United States, Gaza City, Deir al, Gaza, Israel