By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday presented a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel to the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to end the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people and has created a humanitarian crisis.
The offer calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
A senior US official said the four-and-a-half-page plan had been sent to Hamas for review on Thursday and that it was “almost identical” to a proposal the militant group had already accepted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday it supports the plan.
Here are the three phases as described by Biden in a speech and by US officials at a briefing later.
PHASE ONE: STATE CITY, LIMITED HOSTAGE RELIEF AND ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL
Biden said the first phase of Israel’s offer would last six weeks and include a “full and complete” ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from “all populated areas” of Gaza and the “release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the injured in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.”
Biden added that Palestinian civilians will return to their homes and neighborhoods in all parts of Gaza in this phase, while humanitarian assistance will increase to 600 trucks carrying aid to Gaza daily.
“With a ceasefire, that aid could be distributed safely and effectively to all who need it. Hundreds of thousands of temporary shelters, including housing, could be provided by the international community,” Biden added, saying the first phase could begin immediately after a ceasefire. agreement has been reached.
The first phase also includes talks between Israel and Hamas to reach the next phase of the proposal.
PHASE TWO: RELEASE of all hostages, complete Israeli withdrawal
Biden called the second phase “a permanent end to hostilities.” However, he added that negotiations to reach the second phase could take longer than six weeks as disagreements between the two sides would arise.
“Israel will want to ensure that its interests are protected, but the proposal says that if negotiations last longer than six weeks from phase one, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue,” Biden said, which is a new development would mark from the first phase. previous proposals.
He added that the US, Qatar and Egypt will ensure that talks continue during this period until “all agreements are reached” to start the second phase.
In the second phase, all remaining hostages still alive, including male soldiers, would be released, while Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, according to Biden. He added: “And as long as Hamas fulfills its commitments, a temporary ceasefire will become – in the words of the Israeli proposal – a permanent cessation of hostilities.”
PHASE THREE: RECONSTRUCTION, BODIES RETURNED
In the third phase, Biden said that “a massive reconstruction plan for Gaza would begin and all last remains of killed hostages would be returned to their families.”
Biden said Israel has “devastated Hamas forces over the past eight months,” adding: “At this point, Hamas is no longer able to carry out another October 7.”
The deal to rebuild Gaza will also include Arab countries and the international community in a “manner that does not allow Hamas to rearm,” Biden said. He added that Washington will work with its partners to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza, where the war has displaced almost the entire 2.3 million residents and caused widespread hunger.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington)
