The U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Anthony Blinken had separate phone conversations on Friday with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Jordan to discuss a proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Blinken, who made the calls while returning to Washington from Prague, confirmed to his counterparts that the proposal benefits both Israelis and Palestinians.
On Friday, President Joe Biden announced a new three-phase proposal to end the war in Gaza, which differs from previous proposals as it stipulates the continuation of the ceasefire while the parties progress through each of the three phases.
During the first phase, which includes a six-week truce, Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas in Gaza, and hostages, including the elderly and women, would be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. According to Biden, Palestinian civilians would return to the sector, including to northern Gaza, and 600 trucks of humanitarian aid would be brought into Gaza daily.
In the second phase, Hamas and Israel would negotiate terms for a permanent cessation of hostilities. Biden clarified, "The ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations are ongoing," marking a new development. The third phase would involve a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Biden urged Israelis advocating for an "endless" war to reconsider their views, adding, "I know there are people in Israel who will oppose this plan. They will call for the continuation of the war indefinitely. Some in the ruling coalition have made that clear. They want to occupy Gaza. They want to continue fighting for years, and hostages are not a priority for them. I urged the leadership in Israel to support this agreement despite any pressure."
He continued, "As someone who has had a long commitment to Israel, and as the only U.S. president to visit Israel during a war, and as someone who sent American troops to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to be cautious and think about what will happen if this opportunity is lost... We cannot waste this opportunity."
**How Did Hamas Respond to Biden's Proposal?**
Hamas commented on Saturday about President Joe Biden's proposal regarding the ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas stated in a message: "We view positively what was included in the U.S. president's speech regarding the ceasefire in Gaza." The movement added, "We are ready to engage positively with any proposal that includes a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction, the return of displaced persons, and the exchange of prisoners and hostages."
