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.
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.
