Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that the conditions for ending the war in Gaza remain unchanged, following President Biden's unveiling of a new ceasefire deal proposed by Israel. Netanyahu's stance includes the elimination of Hamas, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
President Biden described the proposal as a decisive moment, emphasizing the need for both sides to come to an agreement. The three-phase proposal involves a six-week ceasefire in the first phase, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza and the release of elderly and female hostages.
The second phase would see a permanent end to hostilities, the exchange of remaining hostages, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase focuses on a reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of all remaining hostages.
While President Biden presented the proposal as an Israeli initiative, there appears to be some divergence between his position and that of Netanyahu's office. The prime minister's office emphasized the need to fully address Hamas before ending the war, while expressing unity in the desire to bring home more hostages promptly.
President Biden urged the Israeli public to pressure their government to accept the deal, calling out certain members of the Israeli government who oppose ending the war in Gaza. He also addressed the recent civilian casualties in Rafah, condemning the deaths of 45 civilians in an Israeli strike as 'terrible images.'
Amid ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, President Biden called for redirecting anger towards Hamas and encouraging the group to finalize an agreement to halt hostilities. The president's speech reflects the urgency to find a resolution to the conflict and end the war in Gaza.
