US Sees Possible Gaza Deal This Week, Sullivan Says

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP)
White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP)
TT

US Sees Possible Gaza Deal This Week, Sullivan Says

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP)
White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP)

The Biden administration sees a possible Gaza truce as soon as this week, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan told Bloomberg News on Monday, adding that there were no guarantees that the parties would agree to such a deal.

Sullivan, speaking to Bloomberg in an interview, added that US President Joe Biden's administration has been in contact with incoming President Donald Trump's team and has sought to have a united front on the issue ahead of Washington's Jan. 20 transition of power.

"The pressure building here towards the end of President Biden's term has been considerable," Sullivan said. "It's there for the taking."

Biden leaves office next week after Democrats lost the White House in November's election, handing back the US government to Trump and his fellow Republicans, who will control both chambers of Congress.

Envoys of both Biden and Trump attended weekend talks on the potential deal.

"The question is now: Can we all collectively seize the moment and make this happen," Sullivan told Bloomberg, adding that Biden had directed him to work closely with the incoming team.



Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
TT

Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)

Residents trickled back to the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Monday as the Israeli army withdrew and Lebanese forces, alongside UN peacekeepers, moved in to secure the area.
This marks another town from which Israeli troops have withdrawn following the US- and French-brokered ceasefire that ended the 14-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, The Associated Press said.
Inside the town, a mosque’s dome lay in ruins, surrounded by collapsed buildings, charred cars and streets strewn with twisted metal and broken glass.
Despite the lack of power some residents returned to check on their homes. Few stayed.
Ahmad Saad, a member of the Bint Jbeil Municipality, said only about 10% of the town’s residents have returned. “Essentials of life are still lacking — there’s no electricity, water, there’s nothing,” he said.