U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed on Monday that Israel has shown readiness to agree to a ceasefire and the release of hostages announced by President Joe Biden. Sullivan, speaking at the Global Impact Forum in Washington, stated that the ball is now in Hamas' court.
These remarks from Sullivan come despite increasing doubts about the plan that Biden described as an Israeli initiative, which has received mixed reactions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. During the forum, Sullivan said, "We have seen again Israel's readiness this weekend to move forward and finalize an agreement." He added, "All those who have called for a ceasefire all this time need to turn their eyes to Hamas this week and say: It is time to sit at the table and strike this deal."
The U.S. official considered that the agreement would be "the best thing" for the people of Gaza, Israel, and the United States.
**Israel and Hamas Response to the Plan**
Biden announced on Friday what he described as a three-phase Israeli plan aimed at ending the war, securing the release of all hostages, and rebuilding the Gaza Strip. However, Netanyahu quickly affirmed that Israel would continue the war until it achieves all its objectives, including the elimination of Hamas as a military and political force. In response, Hamas indicated that it views Biden's outlined plan "positively," but has not issued any official comment since then. Nevertheless, Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran denied that there has been an agreement on any new ceasefire document for Gaza. He clarified that the proposal made by mediators on May 6, which was accepted by Hamas and resistance factions, remains the adopted position.
**The New Ceasefire Proposal**
The new proposal announced by Biden consists of three phases.
**Phase One**
This phase will last six weeks and includes a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from major population centers in Gaza in exchange for the release of female, elderly, and injured hostages held by Hamas, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, and the return of residents in the northern Gaza areas to their homes. Biden stated, "If negotiations take more than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as talks are ongoing." He clarified that during the first phase, Israel will negotiate with Hamas to reach the second phase, which will see a permanent end to the war.
**Phase Two**
Biden explained that the second phase of the proposal will involve the release of the remaining live hostages, while Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza and the ceasefire continues, along with raising humanitarian aid to 600 trucks daily.
**Phase Three**
In the third phase, a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza will be executed.
