WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Friday that Israel has proposed a three-part plan that would ultimately lead to a permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of all hostages who have been held there for the last eight months.
Speaking from the White House, Biden said that the proposal comes after intensive diplomacy carried out by his team. The plan has been relayed to Hamas via Qatar, one of the main mediators in negotiations.
Biden’s announcement is notable as he and his administration have battled opposition from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, especially as the general election is in full swing.
People have demonstrated across the country, including students who set up encampments on college campuses last month. And members of the Biden administration have also quit their jobs in protest over U.S. policy toward Israel.
The plan’s first phase would start with six weeks of a full and complete cease-fire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, and the release of women and children being held hostage, Biden said during the surprise announcement. This initial stage would also include a surge of humanitarian assistance, with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every day.
Biden said that, in that first phase, Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent cease-fire and admitted that there could be major hurdles.
“I’ll be honest with you, there are a number of things to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two,” he said.
The president said that phase two wouldn’t begin until all agreements are reached. That second stage would involve the release of all living hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The final phase would be the start of a major reconstruction plan in Gaza and the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.
“I’ve urged the leadership in Israel to standby behind this deal, regardless of whatever [political] pressure comes,” Biden said.
Hamas did not immediately respond to the proposal. It said in a statement Thursday that, if Israel stops its war in Gaza, it would be prepared “to reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal.”
Biden’s announcement comes after Israeli forces moved farther into the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Tuesday, days after an airstrike sparked a major fire that killed dozens of Palestinians.
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ surprise assault on Israel on Oct. 7 which left some 1,200 dead and resulted in the kidnapping of 240, has killed around 36,000 Palestinians, according to officials in Gaza.
Israel and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under intense international criticism during the war.
In recent weeks, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians fled after being forced from their homes.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and others over alleged war crimes.
In the last week, Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state, a step Israel vehemently opposes.
Yarden Segev contributed.
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