Israeli official calls Biden ceasefire deal description 'not accurate'
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The senior anonymous officer is disputing claims that the occupation agreed to completely withdraw its forces from Gaza in exchange for the captives.
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President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
US President Joe Biden’s description of "Israel’s" ceasefire proposal was “not accurate", a senior Israeli official has told NBC News, disputing claims that the occupation agreed to completely withdraw its forces from Gaza in exchange for the captives.
“Israel has not changed its conditions to reach a permanent cease-fire. That will only happen after our objectives are met including destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities,” the official said, noting that even though the White House claimed the plan originated from "Israel", the proposal was put forward by mediators that "Israel" made changes to.
“It’s strange that they say it’s an Israeli proposal and at the same time that Israel needs to agree to it,” the official continued, adding that "Israel" was awaiting Hamas’ formal response to the proposal.
During an interview for the UK's Sunday Times newspaper, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said that "Israel" was not rejecting the deal as it was "a deal we agreed to — it’s not a good deal, but we dearly want the hostages released."
This comes after Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Saturday that any suggestion of "Israel" agreeing to a permanent ceasefire before "the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities" was "a non-starter".
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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."
The three phases proposed by Biden 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 daily trucks 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.
In response to Biden's announcement of the plan, the Palestinian Resistance group said in a statement that it "views positively" the contents of his speech earlier on Friday regarding "a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reconstruction and the exchange of captives and prisoners."
