A comprehensive, three-phase proposal for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages has been presented. International mediators are now intensifying efforts to bridge the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas to secure the deal.
A comprehensive three-phase proposal aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and facilitating the release of all hostages has been presented, with international mediators intensifying efforts to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas.
The deal framework, which was publicly outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024, is an Israeli initiative that has garnered significant international support. It seeks to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Deal
The framework is structured into three distinct phases:
- **Phase One:** A six-week ceasefire, during which Israeli forces would withdraw from all populated areas of Gaza. This phase would also see the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Crucially, humanitarian aid into Gaza would significantly increase during this period.
- **Phase Two:** Following the initial six weeks, negotiations would commence for a permanent cessation of hostilities. If successful, this phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
- **Phase Three:** This final stage would focus on a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage, and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages to their families.
“This is truly a decisive moment,” President Biden stated when announcing the proposal. “Israel has offered a new, comprehensive proposal. It’s a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages.”
Responses from Parties
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, issued a statement indicating it viewed the proposal “positively.” However, it emphasized its core demands for any agreement to include “a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction, and an exchange of prisoners.” These conditions reflect longstanding points of contention that have hindered previous negotiation attempts.
On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reaffirmed its commitment to the war objectives, stating that the conditions for ending the conflict had not changed. These objectives include the destruction of Hamas’s military
