An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed on Sunday that Israel had accepted a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war which was being proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, according to Reuters news agency.
On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden had laid out a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel to Palestinian resistance group Hamas to end the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.
Here is what being proposed:
Ceasefire, limited hostage release and Israeli withdrawal in first phase
Biden outlined Israel’s initial proposal, spanning six weeks, which entails a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza’s inhabited zones, and the liberation of certain hostages, notably women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for the release of numerous Palestinian detainees. Moreover, he stated that during this phase, Palestinian civilians would reclaim their residences and communities throughout Gaza, alongside a significant escalation in humanitarian aid delivery, with 600 trucks ferrying aid into the region daily.
Full Israeli withdrawal, release of all hostages in 2nd phase
The second phase was referred to by Biden as “a permanent end to hostilities.” He did, however, caution that because there would be disagreements between the two sides, the negotiations to reach the second phase might take longer than six weeks.
In the second phase, Israeli forces would leave Gaza and all surviving hostages, including male soldiers, would be released, according to Biden. He continued: “And as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, a temporary ceasefire will become – in the words of the Israeli proposal – the cessation of hostilities permanently.”
Reconstruction, bodies swap in 3rd phase
In the third phase, Biden said “a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence and any final remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.”
