US President Joe Biden has called on Hamas militants to agree to a new offer from Israel on releasing hostages in exchange for a Gaza ceasefire, saying it is the best way to begin winding down the deadly conflict.
The offer calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
A senior US official said the four-and-a-half page plan had been sent to Hamas for review on Thursday, and that it was “almost identical” to a proposal the militant group had already accepted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that it backed the plan.
What’s included in Israel’s new ceasefire proposal?
First phase: Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would last for six weeks. It would include a “full and complete ceasefire” and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from “populated areas” in Gaza.
The first phase would also include the release of some hostages taken by Hamas in its 7 October attack on Israel, including women, the elderly and the wounded, and some remains of hostages being returned.
This would come in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Second phase: The second phase would include a “permanent end to hostilities”. All remaining living hostages taken by Hamas, would be released, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.
Third phase: The third and final phase of the proposed deal calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from the devastation caused by the war.
US President Joe Biden outlined the proposal. Source: AAP / Michael Reynolds/Sipa USA
How has Hamas responded?
Al Jazeera reported that Hamas said it is ready to “engage positively and constructively with any proposal” based on a “permanent ceasefire”.
Hamas looked “positively” on Biden’s call for a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, reconstruction of Gaza and prisoner exchange, a statement reportedly said.
Hamas added it wants the “return of the displaced to their homes throughout Gaza and completing a serious prisoner-exchange deal if the occupation (Israel) explicitly commits to that”.
What happened to the ceasefire proposal earlier this year?
An called for the release of sick, elderly and wounded hostages in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a six-week ceasefire that could be extended to allow for more humanitarian aid to be delivered into the enclave.
The proposed deal fell apart earlier this month after Israel refused to agree to a permanent end to the war as part of the negotiations and in southern Gaza.
Hamas said on Thursday it had told mediators it would not take part in more negotiations during ongoing aggression but was ready for a “complete agreement”, including an exchange of hostages and prisoners if Israel stopped the war.
Talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and others to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist movement in the Gaza war have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress.
Israel will not agree to any halt in fighting that is not part of a deal that includes the return of surviving hostages, a senior Israeli security official said on Friday.
Israel presses into southern Gaza
Israeli forces said they had ended combat operations in the Jabalia area of north Gaza after more than two weeks of in the area.
The Israeli military said troops had completed their operation and withdrawn to prepare for other operations in Gaza.
Israel has continued raids on Rafah in Gaza’s south despite an order by the International Court of Justice, the top UN court, to halt the attacks.
More than 36,280 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel attacked the enclave in response to Hamas’ 7 October assault in southern Israel, according to authorities.
The Hamas attack killed about 1,200 people, with 250 people taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
— With reporting by Reuters
