President Biden details the deal that could end the war in Gaza

2024-05-31 22:13:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

President Joe Biden on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel for Hamas militants that he said would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the bitter war, nearly 8 -monthly in the Middle East

President Biden added that Hamas "no longer has the capacity" to carry out another large-scale attack on Israel.

During the statement given at the White House, the democratic president described the proposal as a "roadmap for a lasting ceasefire and the release of hostages".

The president said the first phase of the proposed deal would span a six-week period and would include a "complete ceasefire", the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of a number of people being held hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

American citizens being held hostage should be released during this phase, and the bodies of those killed should also be returned to their families. At this stage, humanitarian aid will be increased, 600 aid trucks will enter Gaza every day.

The second phase will involve the release of all surviving hostages, including soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The third phase envisages the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza, which will take decades, after the destruction caused by the war.

But President Biden admitted that implementing the agreement will not be easy, saying that a number of "details must be negotiated" to move from the first phase to the second.

Mr Biden's comments came as the Israeli military confirmed that its forces are now operating in central parts of Rafah as they expand their offensive into the southern Gaza city. President Biden called this "a really defining moment." He added that Hamas has stated that it wants a ceasefire and that the deal proposed by the Israelis is an opportunity for them to try "if they really want this (ceasefire)".

Israel has faced growing criticism from the international community over its strategy of continued destruction in Gaza, at a high cost in civilian lives. Israeli bombing and ground offensives have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Israel launched the war in Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7, in which the militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 250, according to Israeli data. Israel says that around 100 people are still being held hostage in Gaza and Hamas is also holding the dead bodies of 30 hostages./ VOA