BIDEN LAYS OUT 3-PHASE PLAN LEADING TO ‘PERMANENT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES’

Fri 31 May 2024:

Biden says during a speech on the war on Gaza that Israel has put forward a new ceasefire proposal that has been transmitted to Hamas via Qatar.

“That’s been the focus – a durable end to this war, one that brings all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better day in Gaza without Hamas in power and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the US president said.

Biden said the new proposal is “a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages”.

“This is truly a decisive moment. Hamas needs to take the deal. It’s time to end this war that they began,” Biden said.

‘We can’t lose this moment’: Biden urges Israel, Hamas to take the deal

“As someone who’s had a lifelong commitment to Israel, as the only American president who has ever gone to Israel at a time of war, as someone who just sent the US forces to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to take a step back, think what will happen if this moment is lost,” Biden said.

“We can’t lose this moment.”

Biden lays out 3-phase plan leading to ‘permanent cessation of hostilities’

The US president emphasised the new proposal that Israel presented includes “a cessation of hostilities permanently”, one of the sticking points in previous talks. Here’s how he laid out a three-phase plan:

A first phase lasts six weeks includes a “full and complete ceasefire”, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza; release of a number of captives including women, the elderly and the wounded in exchange for release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. American hostages to be freed at this stage.
Remains of dead captives will return to their families. Palestinian civilians will return to their homes in neighbourhoods across Gaza, including in the north. Humanitarian assistance will surge with 600 trucks entering Gaza every day. Hundreds of thousands of tents will be distributed by the international community. All that and more will begin immediately.
A second phase includes an exchange of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, along with a full withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza.
The third phase will include commencement of “a major reconstruction plan for Gaza”, and a final return of any remains of captives.

Biden lays out 3-phase plan leading to ‘permanent cessation of hostilities’

The US president emphasised the new proposal that Israel presented includes “a cessation of hostilities permanently”, one of the sticking points in previous talks. Here’s how he laid out a three-phase… pic.twitter.com/lTlFGQiMTT

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) May 31, 2024

How does the White House envision ceasefire deal implementation?

Joe Biden says everything laid out in the first phase of the Israeli proposal is expected to “begin immediately” if Hamas agrees to a deal. He said after phase one is in motion, Hamas and Israel will begin negotiations for phase two, which includes a permanent end to hostilities.

“The proposal says if the negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue. US, Egypt and Qatar will work to ensure negotiations keep going until agreements our reached for phase two to begin.”

“I know there are those in Israel who will not agree with this plan and will call for the war to continue indefinitely. Some are even in the government coalition and they’ve made it clear that they want to occupy Gaza, they want to keep fighting for years, and the hostages are not a priority for them. Well, I urge the government of Israel to stand behind this deal, despite whatever pressure comes.”

President Joe Biden says Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel as he urged Israelis and Hamas to come to a truce agreement.

“Israel has made their proposal. Hamas says it wants a ceasefire. This deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it.”

The proposal is the best way to begin winding down the deadly conflict, the US president added.

“With a ceasefire, aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it,” Biden said.

Hamas said on Thursday it told mediators it would not take part in more negotiations during “ongoing aggression”, but is ready for a “complete agreement” – including an exchange of captives and prisoners if Israel stopped the war.

Talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and others to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress.

‘Biden is trying to be the salesperson for the Israeli government’

Marwan Bishara Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst

The latest ceasefire initiative outlined by President Biden is another version of what has been already proposed.

I think Biden is trying to be the salesperson for the Israeli government as he tries to peddle another version of its proposals that don’t utter clearly, simply, and comprehensively the words “permanent ceasefire”.

You would think after eight months of war – after the destruction of Gaza that we haven’t seen in the past 15 years anywhere – for the American president not to be able to stand behind the idea of a permanent ceasefire is really bewildering.

Israeli leaders are really periled at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Their standing in the region and the world is at its lowest ever.

The United States and the Biden administration, in particular, are suffering terribly because of Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. And that’s why I think President Biden needs this today. They need some sort of transitional quiet, if possible, so the pressure at home and abroad ends.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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