Recently, it was reported that a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the possibility of Israel considering a peace deal with Hamas. This development comes in the wake of increasing global pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, particularly as Israel’s military operations in Gaza have continued for the past eight months. US President Joe Biden commented on the proposed deal during an announcement on Friday (May 31), urging both sides to give it serious consideration.
Ophir Falk, described as Netanyahu’s “Chief foreign policy advisor” in The Sunday Times, revealed to the newspaper that President Biden presented “A deal we agreed to — it’s not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them.”
Nevertheless, the article also highlighted that there would likely be resistance to accepting the deal from a more right-wing faction within the Israeli government. This opposition stems from the establishment of the faction following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year.
Efforts to stop the ongoing hostilities have been unsuccessful in the past. Recently, members of the Israeli ‘war cabinet’ have voiced conflicting opinions regarding the conflict. While some have insisted on a clear plan to end the war, others have firmly opposed the idea of a ceasefire as long as Hamas maintains control over the Gaza Strip.
President Biden’s proposal entails three phases, with the first phase spanning six weeks. This initial phase calls for a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of several Israeli hostages held by Hamas since October 7. The individuals to be released include women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Over the years, Israel has frequently detained Palestinians on charges related to their affiliation with Hamas or their involvement in activities against the Israeli government.
American hostages would also be released. President Biden stated that Palestinian civilians would be able to “return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north”. However, Israel’s military actions have resulted in significant destruction across large areas of Gaza. Humanitarian aid would be delivered in the form of 600 trucks on a daily basis.
During the six-week period of phase one, Israel and Hamas would engage in negotiations to establish the necessary arrangements for phase two, which aims for a “permanent end to hostilities”. If the negotiations take longer, the ceasefire will continue until an agreement is reached, as per Biden’s proposal.
In phase two, there would be an exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers. Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, and as long as “Hamas lives up to its commitments”, a temporary ceasefire would become a “cessation of hostilities permanently,” as stated in the proposal.
Finally, in phase three, a significant reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence, and the remaining victims who have been killed would be returned to their families. Biden emphasized that Israelis should enter into the deal with confidence in their security, as “Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7.”
A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Jazeera, “Biden’s speech included positive ideas, but we want this to materialize within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that meets our demands.”President Biden announced a comprehensive plan for the ceasefire and resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Under this plan, American hostages would be released, and Palestinian civilians would have the opportunity to return to their homes in all areas of Gaza. However, the military actions by Israel have led to significant destruction in Gaza. The plan includes the delivery of humanitarian aid in the form of 600 trucks on a daily basis.
The plan consists of three phases. During the first phase, lasting six weeks, Israel and Hamas would engage in negotiations to pave the way for a permanent end to hostilities in phase two. If necessary, the ceasefire would continue until an agreement is reached.
In the second phase, efforts would be made for the release of all remaining living hostages, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. A temporary ceasefire would become a permanent cessation of hostilities if Hamas fulfills its commitments.
Phase three involves a significant reconstruction plan for Gaza, as well as the return of victims to their families. President Biden emphasized the need for Israelis to enter into the agreement with confidence in their security.
The proposal received mixed reactions. A senior Hamas official expressed optimism about the positive ideas presented but stressed the need for a comprehensive agreement that meets their demands. On the other hand, right-wing leaders within the Israeli government rejected the deal and threatened to withdraw their support, emphasizing the need to destroy Hamas and secure the return of all abductees.
In the Israeli government, there’s been a divide over the recent proposed deal. Right-wing figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have voiced strong opposition to the deal, going as far as threatening to withdraw their support. Smotrich took to X to express his stance, stating, “I have now spoken with the Prime Minister and made it clear to him that I will not be part of a government that will agree to the proposed outline and end the war without destroying Hamas and returning all the abductees.”
On the other hand, more centrist leaders, such as Benny Gantz, have indicated their willingness to accept the deal. Yair Lapid, an opposition politician, weighed in on X in response to The Sunday Times report, saying, “The interview with the Prime Minister’s political advisor also proves that Israel has already announced that it has accepted the deal. If he retracts it now, it is a death sentence for the abductees and a crisis of trust with the Americans and the mediating countries.”
Internationally, the plan has gained support from the European Commission, the UK, Germany, France, Egypt, Qatar, and other Arab governments.
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