After Biden unveiled the plan, Netanyahu’s office issued an ambiguous statement, confirming negotiations for the return of the hostages but insisting that Israel will continue the war until Hamas is eliminated.
Any hopes born to end the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip with the three-phase peace plan presented yesterday by Joe Biden are fading.
Although the EU welcomed the “ray of hope” in the proposal for a cease-fire and at least a six-month truce, Israel today categorically rejected the plan, stressing that there will be “no cease-fire before the total annihilation of Hamas, the release of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.”
Under the plan presented by Biden – which he incidentally mentioned was drawn up by Israel – there would be an attempt to end the war in three phases.
In fact, as the American president said, the Israeli proposal has already been transferred to Qatar and Hamas, and the mediator countries, Qatar and Egypt, are working to secure assurances that the Palestinian organization will not resume military operations against Israel.
What the Biden plan provides
In the first phase of the plan, according to the American president, a complete ceasefire will be implemented for six weeks and Israeli troops will be withdrawn from “the residential areas of the Gaza Strip.” The suspension of hostilities will be accompanied by the release of some Israeli hostages, especially women and the sick, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
In the second phase, a prisoner exchange will take place and all hostages still alive will be released while Israeli forces will withdraw from the entire Palestinian enclave.
The third phase involves a major plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
“I know that some in Israel, even members of the government, will not agree with the plan,” Biden said, urging the Israeli leadership to support the deal, despite the pressure it may face.
In addition, he warned Israel that it risked further isolation internationally if it continued the war.
The proposal submitted by Israel
After Biden unveiled the plan, Netanyahu’s office issued an ambiguous statement, confirming that the Israeli prime minister had authorized a negotiating team to present a plan to return the hostages, but insisting that Israel would continue to fight.
Statement by the Prime Minister’s Office:
The Government of Israel is united in its desire to return the hostages as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 31, 2024
“The Prime Minister authorized the negotiating team to submit a proposal that would allow Israel to continue the war until all of its objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’ military and government capabilities.
The actual proposal submitted by Israel, including the conditional transition from one phase to the next, allows Israel to abide by these conditions (to continue the war),” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
Hamas is positive
“Hamas views positively what was included (…) in the speech of US President Joe Biden, for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reconstruction and the exchange of prisoners,” the Palestinian Islamist movement said in a statement. of.
Ismail Haniya said yesterday that his movement had informed mediators that Hamas’ “demands”, above all that there should be a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, were “non-negotiable”. .
Source :Skai
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