Biden announces that Israel has proposed a three-part plan to end the war in Gaza

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Friday that Israel has proposed a three-part plan that would ultimately lead to a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of all hostages there detained over the past eight months.

Speaking from the White House, Biden said the proposal followed intensive diplomacy by his team. The plan was relayed to Hamas via Qatar, one of the main mediators in the negotiations.

Biden’s announcement is notable as he and his administration have struggled with opposition from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, especially as the general election is in full swing.

People have been protesting across the country, including students who set up encampments on college campuses last month. And members of the Biden administration have also quit their jobs in protest of U.S. policy toward 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 held hostage, Biden said during the announcement surprise. This first step would also include an increase in humanitarian aid, 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 there could be major obstacles.

“I’ll be honest with you, there are a number of things that need to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two,” he said.

The president said phase two would not begin until all agreements were concluded. This second step would involve the release of all living hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

The final phase would be the launch of a vast reconstruction plan in Gaza and the return of the remains of the deceased hostages to their families.

“I urged Israeli leaders to support this agreement, regardless of (political) pressure,” Biden said.

Although Israeli officials did not comment on the specific conditions laid out by Biden, a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorized the government’s negotiating team to “present a plan” that included ” the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas military and government capabilities. »

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 working hard enough to get their loved ones back.

Hamas released a statement saying the group “views positively what was included in US President Joe Biden’s speech today.” Hamas also said it would only entertain the proposals if they were based on a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, among other stipulations.

Friday’s statement echoed a statement the day before in which the group said that if Israel ended its war in Gaza, it would be ready “to reach a comprehensive agreement including a comprehensive exchange agreement.”

The Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement “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 plan, writing that a ceasefire would “save lives” and “lay the foundation for what will be a long and difficult road ahead.” difficult towards a future in which Israel is secure and peaceful.” with its neighbors, and the Palestinians will finally enjoy the security, freedom and self-determination they have sought for so long.

Biden’s announcement comes after Israeli forces advanced into the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Tuesday, days after an airstrike ignited a major fire that killed dozens of Palestinians.

Biden has become increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu in recent months, even though the United States 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 attack in Rafah, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan saying after the two leaders spoke that it would be “a mistake.” And in early May, the United States stopped a major 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, sparked by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which killed some 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of 240 people, has killed around 36,000 Palestinians, according to officials 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 end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have fled after being forced from their homes.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and others for alleged war crimes.

Last week, Spain, Norway and Ireland officially recognized a Palestinian state, a move Israel vehemently opposes.