WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden He announced on Friday that Israel had proposed a three-part plan that would eventually lead to a permanent ceasefire in the United States. Gaza Stripas well as release of all liens persons detained there for the last eight months.
Speaking from the White House, Biden said the proposal comes after intensive diplomacy by his team. The plan was transmitted to Hamas through Qatar, one of the main mediators in the negotiations.
Biden’s announcement is notable as he and his administration grapple with opposition from the far left wing of the Democratic Party, especially with the general election in full swing.
People held demonstrations across the country last month, including students setting up camps on college campuses. Members of the Biden administration also left their jobs in protest of the US policy against Israel.
The first phase of the plan would begin with a six-week full and complete cease-fire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of women and children held hostage, Biden said during the surprise announcement. This initial phase also includes an increase in humanitarian aid, with 600 trucks transporting aid to Gaza every day.
Biden said that in the first phase, Israel and Hamas will negotiate a permanent ceasefire and acknowledged that there could be major obstacles.
“I’ll be honest with you, there are a number of issues that need to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two,” he said.
The president said that the second phase will not begin until all agreements are reached. This second phase will involve the release of all live hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The final phase will be the start of a major reconstruction plan in Gaza and the return of the remains of the dead hostages to their families.
“I called on the Israeli leadership to stand behind this agreement no matter what [political] the pressure is coming,” Biden said.
Although Israeli officials did not comment on the specific terms Biden mentioned, a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorized the government’s negotiating team to “present an outline” that included “the return and elimination of all abductees.” Military and government capabilities of Hamas”.
Netanyahu, who has repeatedly vowed not to end the war until Hamas is destroyed, has come under intense pressure from the hostages’ families, many of whom say he and the government are not doing enough to secure the return of their loved ones.
Hamas issued a statement saying that the group “looks positively at what was included in today’s speech by US President Joe Biden.” Hamas also said it would only deal with proposals based on a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, among other conditions.
Friday’s statement echoed a statement issued a day earlier in which the group said it would be open to a “full agreement, including a detailed exchange agreement” if Israel ends its war in Gaza.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar stressed “the importance of creating real political conditions for the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state.” Qatar was heavily involved in mediation between the parties during the negotiations.
In a statement released after Biden’s announcement, former President Barack Obama praised the plan, which he said would “save lives” and “lay the foundation for a long and difficult road to a future where Israel is secure and at peace.” with their neighbors and the Palestinians finally have the long-sought security, freedom and right to self-determination.”
Biden’s announcement came days after Israeli forces advanced further into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. the airstrike caused a huge fire that killed dozens of people of the Palestinians.
Biden became increasingly frustrated Netanyahu in recent months, although the US successfully defended its ally against an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel in April.
in March, Biden warned Netanyahu against Israel’s military attack on Rafah, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said it would be “a mistake” after the two leaders spoke. At the beginning of May, the United States stopped sending a large offensive weapon to Israel. While it may seem like Biden’s red line, the White House He said earlier this week that Israel had not passed him.
The war in Gaza, which began on October 7 with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people and kidnapped 240, has killed an estimated 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza officials.
During the war, Israel was heavily criticized and increasingly isolated.
In recent weeks, International Court of Justice He ordered Israel to immediately end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians fled after being forced to flee their homes.
Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court applied for an arrest warrant Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for the Hamas leader Yahya Sinvar and others for alleged war crimes.
In the last week Spain, Norway and Ireland have officially recognized the Palestinian stateA step that Israel strongly opposes.