Gaza Cease-Fire Before Trump’s Inauguration Looks Unlikely

Talks between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages appear increasingly deadlocked, according to officials familiar with the discussions, suggesting that President Biden will probably leave the White House without an agreement on a cease-fire.

Mediators have been conducting months of shuttle diplomacy, and Israeli and Hamas officials said in December that there had been progress before blaming the other side for throwing up fresh obstacles.

Negotiations have stalled amid gaps between the two sides, the officials said, and the future of the talks is uncertain. Qatar and Egypt have led the mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas with involvement from the United States.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened that there will be “HELL TO PAY” in the Middle East unless there was an agreement to free the hostages by his inauguration on Jan. 20. It is far from clear how he intends to follow through on the threat and an incoming Trump administration would most likely face the same entrenched dynamic that has thwarted Mr. Biden’s efforts.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to eradicate Hamas in Gaza after last year’s Oct. 7 attacks, in which about 1,200 people in Israel were killed and 250 taken hostage in Gaza. More than 15 months into the war, roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, dozens of whom Israeli authorities believe to be dead.

Hamas has said it would not release any more hostages unless Israel agreed to end the war, completely withdraw its forces and release scores of Palestinians in Israeli jails.