The Biden administration welcomed Hamas’s announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, although the exact terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Hamas agreed to the ceasefire proposal put forth by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, shortly after Israel initiated an attack on Hamas in Rafah, Gaza. Israel stated that Hamas had not agreed to their terms, creating uncertainty about the existence of a deal. White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, emphasized the sensitivity of the situation and refused to speculate on the details of Hamas’s agreement. He also commented on Israel’s decision to shut down Al Jazeera, expressing opposition to the move and emphasizing the importance of independent journalism. The article also referenced Ukraine’s ban on Russian-owned media in 2021.