Axios: 'Air train' of senior US officials to the Middle East ahead of renewed hostage deal negotiations

The American website "Axios" reported that the United States is preparing for a crucial diplomatic week to try to exacerbate the crisis in the Middle East and secure a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

According to the website, a group of senior officials from US President Joe Biden's administration are planning to head to the Middle East for a week of high-level diplomacy.

The website indicated that the results of these discussions will determine whether the region will sink further into its worsening crisis or whether, for the first time since October 7, there will be a major change in course that will have a major impact on Biden's legacy.

The agreement would secure the release of 115 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, where the death toll from the ongoing Israeli war since October 7 has risen to 39,790 dead and 92,002 wounded.

The newspaper indicated that American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators and officials will spend the coming days trying to narrow the gaps between Israel and Hamas before the final round of negotiations between the parties scheduled to be held on August 15.

Israeli officials told Axios that the talks on Thursday are a “now or never” moment to reach a deal.

This comes as international efforts are being mobilized to hold urgent discussions on Gaza on August 15, in Doha or Cairo, and Israel has announced that it will send its negotiating delegation to participate in the meeting.

Israeli media reported on Saturday that senior US officials are expected to arrive in the region ahead of prisoner exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

The Hebrew website "Walla" confirmed that senior officials from Washington will arrive in Tel Aviv in the coming few days with the aim of participating in the negotiations summit between Israel and the Hamas movement.

The website indicated the possibility of Brett McGurk, advisor to US President Joe Biden, arriving in Cairo to put the final touches on security arrangements on the border with Gaza, while CIA Director William Burns will also arrive in the Middle East region soon.

US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad issued a tripartite statement, stressing that the time has come to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and release prisoners and detainees.

The tripartite statement stressed   that no more time should be wasted and that there should be no excuses for further postponement.

They stressed in the statement that they, as mediators, are ready, if necessary, to put forward a final proposal to settle matters related to implementation.