A plan for peace
President Joe Biden said Israel has offered a "comprehensive new proposal" to ensure an enduring cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages after months of failed negotiations. But the three-phase plan won't be a perfect path to end the Israel-Hamas war.
Here's a break down of proposal's three phases, which have been delivered to Hamas via Qatar:
- Phase 1: The first phase would last six weeks, and includes "a full and complete cease-fire and withdrawal" of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
- Phase 2: The next step would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. As long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary cease-fire would become “the cessation of hostilities permanently,” Biden said.
- Phase 3: Phase 3 would include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, and the bodies of any of other hostages killed in captivity would be returned to their families.
Israel has accepted the proposed framework, but internal politics threaten its support. Hamas, which shows no sign of stepping aside, says it will free hostages only under a path to a permanent end to the war. Both parties have yet to officially agree to the proposal.