WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Friday that Israel has proposed a three-part plan that would ultimately end the war in Gaza and release all the remaining hostages.
Speaking from the White House, Biden announced that the detailed proposal for the first time, which comes after intensive diplomacy efforts carried out by his team. He said Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent cease-fire and admitted that there could be major hurdles and road blocks.
“I’ll be honest with you, there are a number of things to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two,” Biden said.
Biden said the second phase will not 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 third and final phase would see 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 stand behind this deal, regardless of whatever [political] pressure comes,” Biden said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorized the government’s negotiating team to “present an outline” that included “the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Hamas released a statement saying that the group “views positively what was included in U.S. President Joe Biden’s speech today.”
Hama’s statement comes just 24 hours after the group said if Israel stops its war in Gaza, it would be prepared “to reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal.”
“At this point Hamas no longer is capable of carrying out another Oct. 7, which was one of the Israelis’ main objectives in this war, and, quite frankly, a righteous one,” Biden said.
Former President Barack Obama praised the plan, writing that a ceasefire would “save lives” and “lay the foundation for what will be a long and difficult road to a future in which Israel is secure and at peace with its neighbors, and Palestinians finally have the security, freedom and self-determination that they have sought for so long.”
Biden has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu in recent months. Back in March, Biden warned Netanyahu against Israel launching a military assault in Rafah.
“We can’t lose this moment,” Biden said. “Indefinite war in pursuit of an unidentified notion of total victory … will only bog down Israel in Gaza — draining the economic, military and human resources and furthering Israel’s isolation in the world. That will not bring hostages home.”
