US President Joe Biden has made a strong plea to Hamas to accept a new Israeli proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The proposal, consisting of three key parts, includes a six-week ceasefire, a surge of humanitarian aid, and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. President Biden emphasized that “it’s time for this war to end” and called this moment a decisive one.
The first phase of the proposed plan involves a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from populated areas in Gaza, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This phase would also allow for more humanitarian aid to reach the territory, with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza daily.
The subsequent phases would see the return of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and eventually lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza with US and international assistance.
While the plan includes elements from previous failed negotiations, the call for a permanent ceasefire appears to be a significant concession aimed at bringing Hamas back to the negotiating table. President Biden acknowledged that some Israelis may oppose the proposal but urged the leadership to stand behind it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war would not end until its goals were achieved, including the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities. A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations expressed concerns about the lack of guarantees in the proposal regarding the end of the war and the complete withdrawal of IDF troops from Gaza.
President Biden has faced criticism domestically over the level of US support for Israel and calls to do more to encourage negotiations between the warring sides. Despite mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, the White House does not believe that Israeli operations in Rafah constitute a major ground operation that would trigger a change in US policy.
The conflict, which began in October with an unprecedented attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel, has resulted in over 36,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The proposal has been transmitted to Hamas through mediators based in Qatar, and the hope is that all parties involved will work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
