The proposal must also mean that all hostages are released and has been communicated to Hamas. According to Biden, Hamas “must” accept the offer.
Truce in three stages
In his speech, Joe Biden tells us that the Israeli proposal contains three different phases.
The first phase would last six weeks and would involve a complete ceasefire, with all Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza. A number of hostages are also to be released, women, elderly and injured in exchange for hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians.
– There are American hostages who would be released at this stage and we want them home, says Biden.
According to Biden, residents of Gaza should also be able to return to all parts of the Gaza Strip. More aid must also be able to be sent into Gaza, including emergency housing solutions.
The proposal: Negotiate until phase two
During the first six weeks, the idea according to the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to be able to negotiate to get to step two.
– Which is a permanent cessation of hostilities, says Biden.
There are several different parts to negotiate in order to reach the first phase according to Biden, including that Israel feels that its interests are secured.
– Should the negotiations take longer than six weeks, the truce will continue as long as the negotiations are underway, says Biden.
In phase two, all hostages are to be returned, according to the Israeli proposal.
Final phase: The reconstruction of Gaza
Phase three involves a “major reconstruction plan” for Gaza.
– That is the offer that is on the table, that is what we wanted and what we need, says Biden.
The president says that Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another attack like the one it carried out on October 7 and calls on all Israelis to support the proposal.
– I ask you to take a step back, think about what would happen if we lose this chance, we cannot lose this chance, says Biden.