Israeli and US officials have voiced doubts about the likelihood of achieving a hostage swap agreement with Palestinian factions in Gaza as the war between Israel and Gaza approaches its 337th day. There are rumours that Washington is preparing a “last chance” plan to submit to mediators and Tel Aviv, but there is little possibility that a deal will be reached anytime soon.

The Philadelphi Corridor, which connects Gaza and Egypt, is one of the most controversial issues that the proposed solution is anticipated to address.

The corridor is still at the centre of current conversations. The US strategy might be revealed this coming weekend or perhaps as early as this Sunday.

It has been claimed that the main focus of negotiations is the release of senior Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. Israel estimates that over 100 captives are still being held by Hamas, some of whom are thought to have been killed. Hamas is reportedly sticking to its initial demands.

As Washington officials express fury at Hamas and step up efforts for a truce and captive release in Gaza, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to meet with hostage negotiators on Monday. This is in reaction to the six Israelis who were kidnapped and died.

One of the identified fatalities was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American, whose body was found immediately after his death in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah.

In the meantime, almost 40,900 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have died in Gaza since the battle started, and the number is still rising. The humanitarian crisis has gotten worse as a result of the prolonged Israeli embargo, which has led to serious shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Allegations of genocide against Israel resulting from the war are currently being investigated by the International Court of Justice. A truce is still elusive despite months of US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediation attempts, mainly because Israel won’t agree to Hamas’ demands to put an end to the war.