US sends submarine to Middle East as tensions grow

The Biden administration believes a ceasefire in Gaza that frees Israeli hostages would be the best way to calm tensions in the region, and has called for talks to resume on Thursday.

But on Sunday night, Hamas responded to US efforts to revive the ceasefire talks by saying Israel should be forced to implement the deal already on the table.

Hamas said that any resumption of ceasefire talks about the conflict in Gaza should be based on previous plans rather than holding new rounds of negotiations.

However its statement indicated an agreement in principle to participate.

Washington has previously blamed Hamas for the failure of negotiations.

But Israeli press reports say the US increasingly sees Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as partly responsible – because he is accused of appeasing far-right members of his coalition who are opposed to a deal.

Last week, for the first time the White House openly criticised one of these coalition leaders, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Mr Smotrich had urged Israel to reject the US push for ceasefire talks, saying it would be a surrender to Hamas. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Mr Smotrich was “dead wrong” and accused him of making false claims.

Meanwhile the leaders of the UK, France and Germany echoed calls for ceasefire talks to resume.

“We agree that there can be no further delay,” said the statement from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“We have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability.”