Biden: Israel has proposed a ‘comprehensive new proposal’
Biden says during a speech on the war on Gaza that Israel has put forward a new ceasefire proposal that has been transmitted to Hamas via Qatar.
“That’s been the focus – a durable end to this war, one that brings all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better day in Gaza without Hamas in power and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the US president said.
Biden said the new proposal is “a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages”.
“This is truly a decisive moment. Hamas needs to take the deal. It’s time to end this war that they began,” Biden said.
‘We can’t lose this moment’: Biden urges Israel, Hamas to take the deal
“As someone who’s had a lifelong commitment to Israel, as the only American president who has ever gone to Israel at a time of war, as someone who just sent the US forces to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to take a step back, think what will happen if this moment is lost,” Biden said.
“We can’t lose this moment.”
Can you be any more one-sided. Hamas already agreed to “a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages” although I suspect its missing the retreat of the military part... What's not stated will be the sticking point.
Biden lays out 3-phase plan leading to ‘permanent cessation of hostilities’
The US president emphasised the new proposal that Israel presented includes “a cessation of hostilities permanently”, one of the sticking points in previous talks. Here’s how he laid out a three-phase plan:
- A six-week initial phase includes a “full and complete ceasefire”; the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza; and the release of a number of captives, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. American hostages would be freed at this stage.
- The remains of dead captives would be returned to their families. Palestinian civilians would return to their homes in neighbourhoods across Gaza, including in the north. Humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks entering Gaza every day. Hundreds of thousands of tents would be distributed by the international community.
- A second phase includes an exchange of all remaining living captives, including male soldiers, along with a full withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza.
- The third phase would include commencement of “a major reconstruction plan for Gaza” and a final return of any remains of captives.
It might work, it is very similar to the deal Hamas accepted right before the Rafah invasion.
How does the White House envision ceasefire implementation?
Biden says everything laid out in the first phase of the Israeli proposal is expected to “begin immediately” if Hamas agrees to a deal. He said after phase one is in motion, Hamas and Israel will begin negotiations on phase two, which includes a permanent end to hostilities.
“The proposal says if the negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue. US, Egypt and Qatar will work to ensure negotiations keep going until agreements are reached for phase two to begin.”
“I know there are those in Israel who will not agree with this plan and will call for the war to continue indefinitely. Some are even in the government coalition, and they’ve made it clear that they want to occupy Gaza, they want to keep fighting for years and the hostages are not a priority for them. Well, I urge the government of Israel to stand behind this deal despite whatever pressure comes.”
And there is the sticking point, how to get the war cabinet to approve the deal. So 'Israel' did not propose this themselves, or at least not the government if they still need to be persuaded to stand behind this deal.
More from Biden on new Gaza truce proposal
Biden says Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel as he urges Israelis and Hamas to come to a truce agreement.
“Israel has made their proposal. Hamas says it wants a ceasefire. This deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it.” The proposal is the best way to begin winding down the deadly conflict, the US president added. “With a ceasefire, aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it,” Biden said.
Hamas said on Thursday that it told mediators it would not take part in more negotiations during “ongoing aggression” but is ready for a “complete agreement”, including an exchange of captives and prisoners, if Israel stops the war.
Talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and others to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, and both sides have blamed the other for the lack of progress.
