US President Joe Biden, while speaking at a press conference said that Israel’s ceasefire proposal will have three phases. He added that the first phase will last for six weeks and will include a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, release a number of hostages including women, children and the elderly and the wounded in exchange for release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden added that the Palestinian civilians would be able to return to anywhere in Gaza and humanitarian assistance will be increased. The ceasefire plan will allow a surge in humanitarian aid and there will be 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day. “With a ceasefire, that aid would be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it. All that and more will begin immediately,” said Biden.
The phase three of the ceasefire plan will include the remains of the hostages who were abducted from Israel on October 7 and dead. Any final remains of hostages who were killed would be returned to their families, said Biden. He however accepted that some people in Israel would not agree with the proposal.
“I urge the leadership in Israel to stand behind its deal despite whatever pressure comes, he added. While addressing the citizens of Israel, Biden said that he has made a lifelong commitment to the country. “I ask you to take a step back and think what will happen if this moment is lost,” said Biden. He added that we can’t lose this moment and further argued over indefinite war.
The US president emphasised the need of a diplomatic solution in the war-torn region. He said that the Palestinian and Israeli leaders will have to come together and rebuild Gaza in a way so that Hamas is not rearmed. Biden said that the US government will provide all possible help to build schools and hospitals in Gaza. He then said the proposal is also giving Israel a chance to emerge as strong regional player.
“All this progress would make Israel more secure, said Biden adding they will no longer be living in the shadow of a terrorist attack. All this would create the conditions of a better future, a different future, for the Palestinian people, a future of dignity and freedom,” he said, adding this path is available once the deal is struck.
The US President said it was truly a decisive moment, “Israel has made their proposal and Hamas says that it wants a ceasefire-this deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it. Hamas needs to take this deal,” he said. Biden said that people have for months called for ceasefire and now it is the time to yield their voices and bring Hamas to an agreement over the deal.
While finishing his address, Biden said, “it is time to begin this new stage and ring the hostages back so that Israel is secured and suffering ends. It is time for this war to end and for the day after to begin.
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