Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are urging all parties to immediately accept a proposal detailed by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the nearly 8-month-long war and bring their relatives home. However, Israel's government has stated that conditions for a cease-fire must still be met.
Biden outlined a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas, emphasizing that the militant group is no longer capable of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel. He called for an agreement between Israelis and Hamas to release the remaining hostages and bodies of around 30 individuals in exchange for an extended cease-fire in Gaza.
Cease-fire talks hit a roadblock last month after efforts by the U.S. and other mediators to secure a deal and prevent a full Israeli invasion of Gaza's southern city of Rafah. Israel insists that the Rafah operation is crucial to uprooting Hamas fighters responsible for triggering the war with an attack on southern Israel in October.
Israel has confirmed its troops are operating in central parts of Rafah, leading to an exodus of around 1 million Palestinians from the city and disrupting U.N. humanitarian operations in the area.
Hostage families stress the urgency of accepting the proposed deal, emphasizing that time is running out. They call on both Israel and Hamas to embrace Biden's proposal for the sake of saving lives and improving the situation for all involved.
The deal's first phase includes a six-week full cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza, and the release of certain hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Subsequent phases involve the release of all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, and the commencement of major reconstruction in Gaza.
Biden acknowledges the challenges in negotiating the deal's details but emphasizes the importance of maintaining the cease-fire during negotiations. Hamas has responded positively to the proposal, urging Israel to commit to a permanent cease-fire and other conditions.
Experts see Biden's speech as a hopeful sign for ending the war and bringing the hostages home. The international community, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, is urging acceptance of the proposal as a crucial step towards lasting peace.
Despite ongoing fighting in Gaza, there is optimism that Biden's proposal could pave the way for a resolution to the conflict and the safe return of hostages.
