As of: May 31, 2024| Reading time: 3 minutes

IAccording to US President Joe Biden, Israel has proposed a new “comprehensive” agreement in the faltering ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip. Biden said at the White House on Friday that this includes a “complete ceasefire,” a six-week withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the release of Hamas hostages. Biden called on the Islamic movement Hamas to approve the agreement. He added: „It is time to end this war.”

According to Biden, the offer consists of three stages. The first will last six weeks and include a „complete ceasefire.” Israeli forces will withdraw from all populated areas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas will release a number of hostages – including women, the elderly and the wounded – in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Biden said that during these six weeks, representatives of Israel and Hamas should continue to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, according to the proposal. Accordingly, the ceasefire will remain in effect if the talks continue. In the second phase, all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will be released. Israeli forces will withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip. The third phase seeks to begin a comprehensive reconstruction process for the Gaza Strip.

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Biden described the Israeli offer as a “road map for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages.” If Hamas really wants a ceasefire, it can prove it by agreeing to the deal. Addressing Israel, Biden said that Israel can enter into the deal without fear for its security. After several months of war, Hamas is no longer in a position to commit a massacre like the one that took place on October 7.

Biden continued: “I know that there are some in Israel who do not agree with this plan and will demand that the war continue indefinitely.” He complained that “some, even in the ruling coalition, have made it clear that they want to occupy the Gaza Strip.” They have wanted to continue fighting for years, and releasing the hostages was not a priority for them. But Biden stressed: “I called on the Israeli leadership to stand behind this deal” – despite all the pressure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later referred to Israel’s war aims. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Friday evening that the war will not end until all the hostages return and Hamas’s leadership and military capabilities are destroyed. She added that the Israeli Prime Minister gave the negotiating team the green light to submit a proposal that could achieve these same goals. It was not clear from the letter whether this meant the proposal made by Biden.

Hamas has recently hardened its position

In order to continue negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently hardened its position. The terrorist organization said that as long as Israel does not stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip, it is not ready to negotiate. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reiterated on Friday that the basic demands of the Islamists, which are a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal, are „non-negotiable.”

Israel gave the green light to continue negotiations with Hamas last week. Mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to reach such an agreement for months, but they have not succeeded so far. The war has been going on for more than seven months.

Hamas fighters carried out a major attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,189 people, according to Israeli reports. In addition, 252 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli information, 121 hostages are still being held by Hamas. It is said that 37 of them have already died. In response to this unprecedented attack, Israel has since undertaken large-scale military actions in the Gaza Strip.

War and climate – harassment: The Catholic day in Erfurt was marked by difficult topics for Chancellor Schulz. For example, he warned of the expansion of the war in Ukraine. Climate activists disrupted the event.

On Catholic Day in Erfurt, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of the expansion of the war in Ukraine. “We have to avoid a big war,” Schulz said, referring to a possible military conflict between Russia and NATO.

At the same time, he called for continued close coordination among allies to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Scholz did not address the fact that the federal government announced that morning that Ukraine could also use the weapons provided against targets on Russian territory.

Call for teamwork and respect

The Chancellor does not currently believe that imposing a ban on the AfD is logical. “A ban is very difficult in a democratic country, which is why there are very high obstacles,” Schulz said. He believed that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution must do its work first and the laws must be implemented. There is also debate about making the constitution more crisis-resistant.

In response to a question about the threat posed by the right and the intimidation of politicians, Schulz said: “We have to defend public space so that everyone can express their opinion anywhere in Germany.” All citizens are called upon not to accept xenophobic and inhumane statements. „We have to insist on cooperation and respect for each other. It is an ongoing task to be very clear here.”

Interventions from the “Last Generation”

The almost hour-long Catholic Day event with the Chancellor was interrupted for a few minutes shortly before the halfway point after massive heckling that repeatedly prevented Schulz from making excuses. The demonstrators demanded that more efforts be made to protect the climate. According to the Katolikentag newspaper, the disturbance came from several people from the “last generation.”

As reported by the German News Agency (DPA), the audience began singing “Lord, give us your peace.” As a result, disturbances decreased. The organizers later said that they tried to talk to the six activists, but dialogue was not possible. That’s why they had to be taken out.

Habeck: Residents need to be more involved

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck was also present. On the platform, he admitted that there was a deficit in social and economic transformation in Germany. The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection said greater justice is needed – and larger parts of the population must be more involved in discussions. Much has been achieved recently in the fight against climate change. But in general, the transformation process must be accelerated.

From his point of view, churches have a special function as giving hope that a better world can be built. He acknowledged the contribution of Catholic influences to the Basic Law. “What holds the republic together at its core, the model of a social market economy, would have been unthinkable without Catholic social teaching,” Habeck said.

20,000 people expected on Catholic Day

The 103rd five-day German Catholic Day ends in Erfurt on Sunday. About 20 thousand people want to participate in 500 events. Every two years, the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) organizes a Catholic Day, in each different diocese.

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was standing: May 31, 2024, 9:04 am

from: Christian Sturgeon

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