Biden Proposes Hostage Deal to End War in Gaza
United States President Joe Biden proposed a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza in a speech on Friday. “[T]o the people of Israel, let me say this,” he said. “You can’t lose this moment.”
He described the deal as one “that brings all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Phase 1:
- Six-week ceasefire
- Israeli troops withdraw from populated areas in Gaza
- Release of women, elderly and sick hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners
- Displaced Palestinians return to their homes
- 600 humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza each day
- Tens of thousands of new housing units provided for Palestinians from the international community
Phase 2: Complete withdrawal of Israel’s military from Gaza in exchange for remaining hostages, including male soldiers. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar will keep negotiations moving forward and ensure that they can move onto this phase.
Phase 3: Rebuild Gaza and return remains of dead hostages.
Israel accepts: An aid to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that Israel will accept the deal.
“It’s not a good deal,” said Ophir Falk, chief foreign-policy adviser to Netanyahu.
Although Israel has agreed to Biden’s ceasefire, Netanyahu’s office has made it clear: “The Gaza war will not end until all goals are achieved, including the return of all hostages and the destruction of Hamas.” Biden responded by warning that pursuing “complete victory” will only “further isolate Israel.”
Who benefits? Hamas has been significantly weakened by Israel’s response to the October 7 attack. But Biden’s plan to rebuild Gaza may put them in a better position than before. Israel is yet again left with the worse end of the deal.
Learn more: Read “Israel: A Brother Betrayed.”
