Fighting erupted after Hamas fighters from Gaza rampaged through Israeli communities on October 7, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel also wants to keep troops along the Philadelphi Corridor, a border strip between Gaza and Egypt. U.S. President Joe Biden outlined a potential ceasefire deal in May, which would pause fighting in what has now been ten months of war, facilitate the release of Israelis hostages, a withdrawal of Israeli forces, and open negotiations on extending the truce. Were ceasefire talks just for public relations ?
