Israel-Hamas: Swords of Iron War. Israeli soldiers in Gaza – IDF PHOTO
President Biden on Friday announced what was hoped would be the deal that ends the fighting in Gaza, allowing for a permanent cease-fire. Biden said that Egypt, and Qatar already agreed to promote the deal. However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to scuttle the deal before it got off the ground with a statement he released over the weekend.
President Biden stated over the weekend, “For the past several months, my negotiators of foreign policy, intelligence community, and the like have been relentlessly focused not just on a ceasefire that would eve- — that would inevitably be fragile and temporary but on a durable end to the war. That’s been the focus: a durable end to this war. “
The first phase of the plan would last for six weeks and include a full and complete ceasefire; a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza; a release of a number of hostages — including women, the elderly and the wounded — in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
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Additionally, some remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.
Palestinians — civilians — would return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north.
Humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day.
All of that and more would begin immediately.
During the six weeks of phase one, Israel and Hamas would negotiate the “necessary arrangements” to get to phase two, which is a permanent end to hostilities.
President Biden said that such a permanent agreement would be on that brings “all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better “day after” in Gaza without Hamas in power, and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
In response to the news of a cease-fire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office (PMO) released a statement saying, “The Government of Israel is united in its desire to return the hostages as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal.”
“The Prime Minister authorized the negotiating team to present a proposal to that end, which would also enable Israel to continue the war until all its objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities,” added the PMO. “The actual proposal put forward by Israel, including the conditional transition from one phase to the next, allows Israel to uphold these principles.”
The PMO also stated that Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed:” the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter.”
