Biden hails Israel-Hamas cease-fire ending 11-day war, says he sees ‘genuine opportunity’ for progress toward peace

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is hailing the impending cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, saying he sees a “genuine opportunity” toward the larger goal of building a lasting peace in the Middle East. Biden is crediting the Egyptian government with playing a crucial role in brokering the cease-fire and says he and top White House aides were intensely involved in an “hour by hour” effort to stop the bloodletting.