Biden lays out three-phase ceasefire plan, corners Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 May 2024 22:29
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Highlighting his longstanding commitment to "Israel", US President Joe Biden has introduced a new captive deal proposal.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the verdict in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial and on the Middle East, from the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Washington, (AP)

US President Joe Biden laid out a new proposal that involves releasing Israeli captives in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Biden claimed that this is the most effective step toward de-escalating the ongoing war, adding, "With a ceasefire, that aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it."

"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," he stressed. "We can't lose this moment."

"It's time for this war to end and for the day after to begin," emphasized Biden, who is under the pressure of an election year and amid the ongoing Israeli aggression, which has persisted for eight months.

Biden's three-phase plan for Gaza ceasefire detailed

The three phases proposed by the US President are as follows:

In phase one: A six-week ceasefire would be implemented. During this period, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, and Israeli captives, including the elderly and women, would be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Palestinian civilians, including those in northern Gaza, would be returned, and 600 trucks daily would deliver humanitarian aid.

In phase two: Negotiations between Hamas and "Israel" would commence to establish terms for a permanent end to hostilities. Biden emphasized that the ceasefire would persist during these talks.

In phase three: A comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza would be initiated. Qatar has conveyed the proposal to Hamas, according to Biden. The US President also urged those in "Israel" advocating for prolonged war to reconsider their stance.

'Israel' wants 'to occupy Gaza'

Biden also acknowledged opposition to the plan within "Israel", particularly among some government coalition members, who advocate for continuing the war indefinitely, prioritizing the occupation of Gaza over the release of Israeli captives.

"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. They've made it clear. They want to occupy Gaza. They want to keep fighting for years and hostages are not a priority for them. Well, I've urged leadership in Israel to stand behind this deal, despite whatever pressure comes," Biden said.

Numerous Israeli media channels characterized Biden's speech on Friday as compelling, interpreting it as a direct appeal to the Israeli populace. Channel 12 even interrupted its regular evening news program to broadcast Biden's address live. According to anchor Danny Kushmaro, "Israel's" censor had previously prohibited the publication of the offer's specifics.

Well, Biden was right. Simultaneously, Netanyahu rushed to respond to Biden's plan, claiming that "the Israeli government is united in the desire to return our hostages as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal," as per a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

“Therefore, the prime minister authorized the negotiating team to present an outline for achieving this goal, while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities,” Netanyahu’s office stressed.

“The exact outline proposed by Israel, including the conditional transition from stage to stage, allows Israel to maintain these principles,” the statement added.

Netanyahu's office does not explicitly confirm if their proposal aligns with the one outlined by Biden in his speech. It also does not directly acknowledge Biden's address. When questioned about the similarity between Netanyahu's proposal and Biden's speech, a senior administration official avoided providing a direct response during a briefing with reporters, as per Israeli media.

“I have no doubt that the deal will be characterized by Israel and will be characterized by Hamas, but we know what’s in the deal. We know what the expectations are,” the official said, as quoted by Times of Israel.

Palestinians have endured sheer hell

Elsewhere in his remarks, Biden acknowledged that “the Palestinian people have endured sheer hell in this war.”

“Too many people have been killed, including thousands of children. Far too many have been badly wounded. We all saw the terrible images from a deadly fire in Rafah earlier this week,” he added.

He stated that despite efforts to significantly increase aid to Gaza, with 1,800 trucks allegedly delivering supplies over the past five days, the humanitarian crisis persists.

Dive deeper

An earlier captive proposal presented this year suggested releasing sick, elderly, and wounded captives in Gaza in exchange for a six-week ceasefire, which could be extended to facilitate the delivery of more humanitarian aid into the enclave.

The proposed deal collapsed earlier this month when "Israel" declined to agree to a permanent end to the war as part of the negotiations and intensified its assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

The Hamas movement on Thursday announced that it has informed mediators of its clear stance that it is prepared to reach a comprehensive agreement that includes a full prisoner exchange deal only if the Israeli occupation halts its war and aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas reiterated in a statement that it has shown flexibility and positivity toward the mediators' efforts during all previous rounds of indirect negotiations, culminating in the announcement of their agreement to the ceasefire proposal on May 6.

The Palestinian Resistance group pointed out that the Israeli occupation has used these negotiations as a cover to continue its aggression and massacres against the Palestinian people, responding to the movement's positive stance by invading Rafah and occupying the Rafah crossing and presenting remarks that aim to disrupt the mediators' efforts.

The statement underlined that Hamas and the Palestinian factions will not continue negotiations amid aggression, killing, siege, starvation, and genocide against the Palestinian people.

On Tuesday, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim affirmed that the continuation of the Israeli aggression "means more Israeli captives in the hands of the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip."

In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, Naim responded to comments from the Israeli Channel 12 regarding "Israel's" readiness for a long-term ceasefire, saying that "Israeli manipulation of words is unacceptable, as it must be clear from the beginning that a complete ceasefire is demanded."

He highlighted that Hamas' position on negotiations, alongside other factions, relies on the fighters' legendary performance on the battlefield. He also noted the movement's previous acceptance of a proposal that met Palestinian aspirations.

The Palestinian official confirmed that no side has contacted the movement recently, and no new proposals were made, underscoring Hamas' unwillingness to engage in new negotiations while "Israel" occupies the Rafah crossing.

Naim pointed out that there is "an Israeli attempt to cover up the massacres against our people by claiming that there is a recent movement toward negotiations."

A source in Hamas, speaking to Al Mayadeen, denied Tuesday the return of negotiations as claimed by Israeli media.

A senior Palestinian Resistance source had also told Al Mayadeen that the Israeli occupation is not serious in its attempts to return to negotiations, emphasizing Hamas' insistence on stopping Israeli massacres against the people of Gaza.

The senior source emphasized that Hamas "believes that Israel is not serious" about reaching a deal, perceiving "Israel's" maneuvers as attempts to obscure and justify its continued perpetration of criminal acts against the Palestinian people.