President Joe Biden will deliver remarks on the ongoing situation in the Middle East later today. The focus of his speech will be on the efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the release of hostages have been ongoing, with a diplomatic source revealing that Israel recently presented mediators with new ideas during talks on Tuesday. However, no details were disclosed regarding the nature of these new proposals.

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas hit a stumbling block three weeks ago, leading to a pause in negotiations as the two sides failed to reach an agreement on certain terms. On Thursday, Hamas communicated to mediators their willingness to reach a comprehensive agreement, including a full hostage and prisoner exchange, on the condition that Israel stops its military operations in Gaza.

Hamas expressed frustration with the months of negotiations, accusing Israel of using the talks as a cover to continue its aggression and occupation. The Palestinian group emphasized that they will not accept continuous negotiations amid the ongoing suffering of their people.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has been steadfast in his insistence that the war will continue until Hamas is completely dismantled.

President Biden's return to the White House from his Delaware residence earlier today marks a shift in his public silence on the situation in Israel. He has refrained from commenting on the recent Israeli strike in the city of Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of several civilians, but the White House acknowledged the images from the incident as "heartbreaking."

While Biden has previously announced his intention to limit certain US arms shipments to Israel if they entered into Rafah, there has been some confusion surrounding the specifics of his stance. White House officials have clarified that a "major ground invasion" of the city would be the trigger for this action, characterized by the deployment of tens of thousands or thousands of troops in a coordinated manner against a range of targets.

The focus of President Biden's foreign policy efforts has been predominantly directed towards the Middle East. However, domestic attention has been captivated by the trial of former President Donald Trump, who was found guilty in a New York hush money case. It remains unclear when and how President Biden intends to address the verdict directly.

As negotiations continue to secure the release of hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, President Biden's remarks are expected to shed light on the United States' position and its efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.