US President Joe Biden urged Hamas to accept a new Israeli proposal to end the conflict in Gaza, saying “it is time for this war to end.”
The proposal of three parts I would start with a six-week ceasefire in which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza.
There would also be a “increase” of humanitarian aid, as well as a exchange of some hostages by Palestinian prisoners.
The agreement would eventually lead to a permanent “cessation of hostilities” already an important plan reconstruction for Gaza.
Hamas said it sees the proposal “positively.”
In a speech at the White House on Friday, Biden noted that “this is truly a decisive moment.”
“Hamas says it wants a ceasefire. “This deal is an opportunity to show if they really mean it.”
The ceasefire, he added, would allow more humanitarian aid to reach the besieged territory, with “600 trucks transporting aid to Gaza every day.”
In the second phase, all remaining live hostages, including male soldiers, would be returned. The ceasefire would then become “the cessation of hostilities, permanently.”
“Time to stop”
Among those who have urged Hamas to accept the proposal is UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who said on X (the network formerly known as Twitter) that the group “must accept this deal so we can see a cessation of fighting.”
“We have long argued that a cessation of fighting can become permanent peace if we are all prepared to take the appropriate action,” Cameron added.
“Let’s seize this moment and put an end to this conflict.”
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterresalso welcomed the development in a post on X.
He said the world had “witnessed too much suffering [y] destruction in Gaza” and the “time to stop” had arrived.
“I welcome the initiative [del presidente] Biden [y] I encourage all parties to seize this opportunity for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, guaranteed humanitarian access without obstacles [y]”Ultimately, lasting peace in the Middle East,” he added.
Significant concession
In his speech, Biden acknowledged that negotiations between phases one and two would be difficult.
Just a few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it known that he was implacably opposed to agreeing to end the war as part of a ceasefire agreement, making Biden’s reference to ending the war particularly significant.
While the plan includes many of the details of previous rounds of talks, which ultimately failed, US calls for a permanent ceasefire appear to be a significant concession designed to try to get Hamas to return to negotiations on terms they have already said they would accept.
A permanent ceasefire has been one of the group’s key demands.
The third phase of the proposal would see the return of the remains of deceased Israeli hostages, as well as a “grand reconstruction plan” with American and international assistance to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals.
In his remarks, Biden acknowledged that some Israelis, including Israeli government officials, would likely oppose the proposal.
“I have urged Israel’s leaders to support this agreement,” he said. “Regardless of any pressure [política] that arises.”
The American president also addressed the Israeli people directly, telling them that “we cannot lose this moment.”
In particular, Biden claimed that Hamas has been degraded to the point that it can no longer repeat an attack like the one its fighters carried out on October 7, a likely signal to Israelis that Washington considers the war over.
In a statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that the war would not end until its objectives were achieved, including the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas’s military and governance capabilities.
And he added that the latest plan would allow Israel to defend these principles.
Hamas, for its part, said it views the proposal “positively.” for his call for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reconstruction and the exchange of prisoners.
The group stated that it was willing to “positively and constructively address” any proposal focused on a permanent ceasefire, as long as Israel “declares its explicit commitment to it.”
Another Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations who saw the new Israeli proposal noted that the document did not include a guarantee that the war would end, nor that IDF troops would completely withdraw from Gaza.
The proposal was conveyed to Hamas through mediators based in Qatar.
Internal criticism
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called his counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to try to achieve a broader support for the proposal.
Blinken “emphasized that Hamas should accept the deal and that all countries with a relationship with Hamas should pressure it to do so without delay,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said late Friday.
As civilian casualties rise in Gaza, Biden has faced growing domestic criticism by the level of US support for Israel and calls to do more to encourage the warring parties to negotiate.
However, earlier this week, the White House said it does not believe Israeli operations in Rafah amount to a “major ground operation” that could cross a red line and trigger a possible change in US policy.
This statement came after an Israeli airstrike and resulting fire At least 45 Palestinians will be killed on Sunday.
In a separate announcement on Friday, U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum formally invited Netanyahu to address Congress in Washington.
It is unclear when this speech would take place.
More than 36,000 people have been killed across Gaza since the start of the conflict, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
The war began in October, when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, leaving nearly 1,200 dead and 252 hostages taken to Gaza.
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