Biden predicts ceasefire by Monday, though Hamas and Israel seem skeptical

(JTA) — President Joe Biden says an Israel-Hamas ceasefire is “close” and that it could come as soon as next Monday.

But Israel, Hamas and Qatar have all thrown cold water on Biden’s optimism, saying a deal remains possible but does not appear to be close. Qatar is hosting negotiations in its capital, Doha, after negotiators proposed an outline for a ceasefire agreement over the weekend.

Biden, who was in New York on Monday for an appearance on Seth Meyers’ NBC late night show, had stopped with Meyers for an ice cream cone when reporters asked him how close a…