Ashkelon, Israel – The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are urging all parties involved to accept President Biden’s three-phase deal proposed on Friday to end the nearly 8-month-long war and bring their loved ones home. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Saturday calling a permanent cease-fire in Gaza a “nonstarter” until certain conditions, such as the destruction of Hamas’ military capabilities and the freeing of all hostages, are met.
According to the statement from Netanyahu’s office, Israel will continue to insist on these conditions before agreeing to a permanent cease-fire. Meanwhile, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement calling on both Hamas and Israel to finalize an agreement based on the principles outlined by President Biden, emphasizing that the deal would benefit the people of Gaza and the hostages and their families.
President Biden presented the deal proposed by Israel to Hamas, stating that the militant group is no longer capable of launching large-scale attacks on Israel. He urged Hamas to release the remaining hostages and bodies of others in exchange for an extended cease-fire in Gaza. The families of the hostages expressed urgency, emphasizing that time is running out for the deal to be accepted by both parties.
The first phase of the proposed deal includes a full cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and the release of certain hostages. The subsequent phases involve negotiations for a permanent end to hostilities and the start of reconstruction in Gaza.
While the proposal offers hope for ending the war and bringing the hostages home, challenges remain in negotiating the details of the agreement. Both Israel and Hamas have shown some willingness to consider the deal, with Hamas expressing a positive view of the proposal outlined by President Biden.
Experts believe that President Biden’s speech marks a significant moment in the conflict, providing an opportunity for lasting peace. However, there are concerns about the potential for the war to resume if the agreement is not honored. Overall, the proposed deal offers a potential path towards a resolution of the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas.