President Joe Biden on Friday said Israel had proposed a Gaza ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, and called on Hamas to agree to the new offer, saying it was the best way to end the conflict. “It’s time for this war to end and for the day after to begin,” said Biden, who is under election-year pressure to stop the Gaza conflict, now in its eighth month. Talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and others to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and the militant Hamas movement in the Gaza war have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress. On the other hand, Top U.S. leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress, a show of wartime support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel’s military assault on Gaza. The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, has been in the works for some time. No date for the speech was set.
Quick Read
- President Joe Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas, aiming to end the nearly 8-month-old Mideast war and secure the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
- Biden emphasized that Hamas is “no longer capable” of launching another large-scale attack on Israel and urged both sides to agree on the deal.
- The first phase of the deal would last six weeks, featuring a full cease-fire, Israeli withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza, and the release of various hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This phase includes the release of American hostages and the return of remains.
- Humanitarian aid would increase significantly, with 600 trucks allowed into Gaza daily during the first phase.
- The second phase involves the release of all remaining living hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with the temporary cease-fire potentially becoming a permanent cessation of hostilities.
- The third phase focuses on the major reconstruction of Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage due to the conflict.
- Biden acknowledged the complexity of the negotiations required to transition from phase one to phase two.
- The announcement coincided with the Israeli military’s confirmation of operations in central Rafah, marking an expansion of their offensive in Gaza.
- Biden called it a “decisive moment” and noted that the deal offers Hamas an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to a cease-fire.
- Israel faces increasing international criticism for its destructive strategy in Gaza, which has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- The war began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of around 250, with about 100 hostages still held in Gaza.
- Cease-fire talks stalled at the start of the month, primarily due to Hamas’ demand for an end to the war and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages, a condition Israel rejects.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden details a 3-phase hostage deal. US leaders invite Netanyahu to address Congress
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Mideast war.
Biden added that Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel as he urged Israelis and Hamas to come to a deal to release the remaining hostages for an extended cease-fire.
The Democratic president in remarks from the White House called the proposal “a road map to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages.”
Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete cease-fire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
American hostages would be released at this stage, and remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families. Humanitarian assistance would surge during the first phase, with 600 trucks being allowed into Gaza each day.
The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.
“And as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary cease-fire would become, in the words of the Israeli proposals, ‘the cessation of hostilities permanently,’” Biden said.
The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.
But Biden acknowledged that keeping the deal on track would be difficult, saying there are a number of “details to negotiate” to move from the first phase to the second.
Biden’s remarks came as the Israeli military confirmed that its forces are now operating in central parts of Rafah in its expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. Biden called it “a truly a decisive moment.” He added that Hamas said it wants a cease-fire and that an Israeli-phased deal is an opportunity to prove “whether they really mean it.”
Israel has faced growing international criticism for its strategy of systematic destruction in Gaza, at a huge cost in civilian lives. Israeli bombardments and ground offensives in the besieged territory have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducted about 250. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more.
Cease-fire talks ground to a halt at the beginning of the month after a major push by the U.S. and other mediators to secure a deal, in hopes of averting a planned Israeli invasion of the southern city of Rafah. The talks were stymied by a central sticking point: Hamas demands guarantees that the war will end and Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza completely in return for a release of all the hostages, a demand Israel rejects.
US leaders invite Israel’s Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress
Quick Read
- U.S. leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress, demonstrating wartime support despite political divisions over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
- The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has been in the works for some time, though no date has been set.
- This invitation comes as the Israel-Hamas war, now in its seventh month after Hamas’ October 7 attack, raises concerns in the U.S. and internationally over Israel’s conduct and the high civilian death toll.
- Netanyahu’s speech is expected to highlight election-year divisions in the U.S., with many Democrats distancing themselves from the right-wing prime minister, while Republicans increasingly support him.
The Associated Press has the story:
US leaders invite Israel’s Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
Top U.S. leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress, a show of wartime support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel’s military assault on Gaza.
The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, has been in the works for some time. No date for the speech was set.
It comes as the Israel-Hamas war, now in its seventh month after the Oct. 7 surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group, has caused widespread concerns in the U.S. and abroad over Israel’s conduct and the extensive civilian death toll.
A speech by Netanyahu would almost certainly expose election-year divisions in the U.S., where a growing number of Democrats have turned away from the right-wing prime minister, while Republicans draw ever closer to the Israeli leader.
