Shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden presented a proposed ceasefire agreement for the release of hostages, Israeli forces launched an attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah using tanks and artillery. According to AFP, President Biden’s announcement was followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that Israel would continue its military operations until all objectives, including the destruction of Hamas, were achieved.
Netanyahu elaborated on the proposed ceasefire plan, emphasizing that the elimination of Hamas is a fundamental component of Israel’s conditions for ending the war. He stated, “There has been no change in the terms for ending Israel’s war. These terms include the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
Earlier, President Biden had outlined a detailed three-phase agreement proposed by Israel for dealing with Hamas militants. According to the Associated Press, President Biden asserted that the proposed deal could lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and potentially bring an end to the nearly eight-month-long conflict in the Middle East. He mentioned that the Palestinian militant group Hamas is no longer capable of launching large-scale attacks on Israel.
President Biden urged both Israelis and Hamas to negotiate an extended ceasefire for the release of the remaining hostages. In his statement from the White House, he described the proposal as “a roadmap for a sustainable ceasefire and the release of all hostages.”
Details of the Proposed Agreement
According to President Biden, the first phase of the agreement would last six weeks and involve “complete and final ceasefire,” withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas in Gaza, and the release of multiple Israeli hostages, including women, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This phase would also include the release of American hostages from Gaza and the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families. During this period, humanitarian aid would be increased, allowing 600 trucks to enter Gaza daily.
The second phase would involve the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In response to this proposed plan, the Palestinian militant group Hamas expressed a positive outlook on the contents of President Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.