WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden announced on Friday that Israel has proposed a three-part plan that would ultimately lead to a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza stripas well as the release of all hostages who have been detained there for the past eight months.
Speaking from the White House, Biden said that the proposal comes after intense diplomacy carried out by his team. The plan was transmitted to Hamas through Qatar, one of the main mediators in the negotiations.
Biden’s announcement is notable because he and his administration have been battling opposition from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, especially as the general election is in full swing.
People demonstrated across the country, including students who set up camps on college campuses last month. And members of the Biden administration have also quit their jobs in protest against US policy towards Israel.
The first phase of the plan would begin with six weeks of a full and complete ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of women and children being held hostage, Biden said during the surprise announcement. This initial phase would also include an increase in humanitarian assistance, with 600 trucks transporting aid to Gaza every day.
Biden said that, in this first phase, Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent ceasefire and admitted that there could be major obstacles.
“I’ll be honest with you, there are a number of things to negotiate to move from phase one to phase two,” he said.
The president said phase two would not begin until all agreements were reached. This second phase would involve the release of all living hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The final phase would be the beginning of a major reconstruction plan in Gaza and the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.
“I urge the leadership in Israel to support this agreement regardless of any [political] pressure comes,” Biden said.
While Israeli officials have not commented on the specific terms outlined by Biden, a statement from the Israeli prime minister Benjamin NetanyahuHassan’s office said it had authorized the government’s negotiating team to “present an outline” that included “the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and government capabilities.”
Netanyahu, who has repeatedly promised not to end the war until Hamas is destroyed, has been under intense pressure from hostage families, many of whom say he and the government are not working hard to get their loved ones returned.
Hamas released a statement saying the group “views positively what was included in today’s speech by US President Joe Biden.” Hamas also said it would only address proposals if they were based on a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, among other stipulations.
Friday’s statement echoed a statement from the previous day, in which the group said that if Israel stops its war in Gaza, it would be prepared “to reach a full agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange agreement.”
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, highlighted “the importance of creating real political conditions for the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state”. Qatar was heavily involved in mediating between the parties during the negotiations.
In a statement released after Biden’s announcement, former President Barack Obama praised the outlined plan, writing that a ceasefire would “save lives” and “lay the groundwork for what will be a long and difficult road to a future in which Israel be safe and at peace.” with their neighbors, and Palestinians will finally have the security, freedom and self-determination they have sought for so long.”
Biden’s announcement comes after Israeli forces advanced into the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday, days after a air raid caused a huge fire that killed dozens of the Palestinians.
Biden is increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu in recent months, although the US successfully defended its ally in April against Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel.
In March, Biden warned Netanyahu against Israel launching a military strike on Rafah, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan saying after the two leaders spoke that this “would be a mistake.” And in early May, the US halted a large shipment of offensive weapons to Israel. Despite what appeared to be Biden’s red line, the White House said earlier this week that Israel had not crossed it.
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which left around 1,200 dead and resulted in the kidnapping of 240, has killed around 36,000 Palestinians, according to authorities in Gaza.
Israel was heavily criticized and became increasingly isolated during the war.
In recent weeks, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately suspend its military offensive in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have fled after being forced to flee their homes.
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants to Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the leader of Hamas Yahya Sinwar and others about alleged war crimes.
Last week, Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognize a Palestinian statea measure that Israel vehemently opposes.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
