Joe Biden says his plan is 'endorsed by Israel'; and now Hamas had to agree to this. Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Joe Biden on Friday outlined a «comprehensive» agreement to end fighting in the Gaza Strip and appealed directly to ordinary Israelis and Palestinians to accept it. .
Putting himself at the center of lengthy ceasefire negotiations for the first time, the US president urged those who want peace to make their voices heard, saying it is the best way to end the conflict.
“The time has come to end this war, to start the day after tomorrow,” he said.
The new plan is similar to the deal that collapsed three weeks ago due to claims and counterclaims from both sides.
It was an approved “Israeli proposal,” Mr. Biden stressed, consisting of three stages that would lead to to “a permanent cessation of hostilities” and the restoration of Gaza.
He said Hamas must now come to the negotiating table and the Israeli leadership must stick to its proposal.
“I know that there are those in Israel who will not agree with this plan. And he will call for the continuation of the war endlessly. Some are even part of the government coalition. They made it clear. They want to occupy Gaza. They want to continue the fight for years, and hostages are not their priority. Well, I have called on the leadership of Israel to support this deal, despite any pressure,” Mr. Biden said.
War continues to rage in the devastated Gaza Strip. Photo: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images
The first phase of the agreement will last six weeks. It would include a complete and final ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of “hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.” /p>
At the same time, “Palestinian civilians will return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including the north; and humanitarian assistance will increase, with 600 trucks delivering aid to Gaza every day,” Mr. Biden said.
During the initial six-week phase, Israel and Hamas will “negotiate the necessary agreements to move into the second phase » , which is the final cessation of hostilities,” the president added.
“Finally, in the third stage, the massive reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin, and the last remains of the murdered hostages will be returned to their families. This is the proposal that is now on the table.”
Mr Biden acknowledged that negotiations on the exact terms of the second part of the deal would be difficult in the first six weeks, but insisted it was possible.
The US, Egypt and Qatar will work to ensure that those talks continued until an agreement was reached, he said.
“As long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire will become permanent,” Biden said.
It is an agreement «that will bring all hostages home, ensure Israel's security, create a better day in Gaza without Hamas rule, and create the basis for a political settlement that will provide a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians,» he added. .
Mr Biden warned Israelis they risk further isolation if they do not understand the moment.
Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. The country was called upon to end the conflict. Credit: Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images
Israel no longer faces a serious threat from Hamas because “at this point, Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7th,” he said.
“To the people of Israel, let me say this… You are not You can miss this moment, an open-ended war in pursuit of an unidentified idea of total victory, depleting economic, military, human resources and contributing to Israel's isolation from the world. It will not bring the hostages home, it will not bring final defeat to Hamas, and it will not bring lasting security to Israel.”
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, echoed the President's words.
“With a new hostages deal on the table, Hamas must accept this deal so that we can see an end to the fighting, the release of the hostages and the return of their families, and also the influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said on social media. message in the media.
«As we have long said, the cessation of hostilities can turn into permanent peace if we are all willing to take the right steps. Let us seize this moment and end this conflict.»
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that he «has authorized negotiators to present a proposal for the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.»
“The war in Gaza will not end until all objectives are achieved, including the return of all hostages and the destruction of Hamas,” the statement added.
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