Andrea Mitchell is chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The United States led a last-ditch effort Monday to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that would head off an assault on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah. U.S. officials do not believe Israel is ready to launch a full scale ground incursion of Rafah, providing a crucial window to secure a deal for a truce and the release of hostages still held by Hamas, two people familiar with the American position told NBC News.
officials believe that Netanyahu, who is coming under increasing pressure to secure their freedom at home, would find it harder to resume major military operations in Gaza, the two sources said. There have been widespread protests in Israel calling for Netanyahu and his government to do more to secure the release of the remaining hostages. But Israel’s government has appeared divided on the proposal in recent days.
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