Urges Israel and Hamas to finalize US Gaza peace plan

However, Israel said there would be no formal end to the war as long as Hamas remained in power, questioning the timing and interpretation of the proposed ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Palestinian militant group welcomed the US ceasefire proposal.

Israelis protested calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to negotiate peace and release hostages in Tel Aviv on June 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Biden said Friday that Israel had proposed an additional deal involving an initial six-week ceasefire that would require a partial Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas to release some hostages.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying for months to mediate an end to the war, but agreements have stalled.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday that any notion that Israel would agree to a permanent ceasefire before "destroying Hamas' military and operational capabilities" was a "non-starter".

Two members of his ruling coalition have threatened to quit the government if he forges a deal to end the war without destroying Hamas.

Meanwhile, Hamas said on Friday it was ready to engage “in a positive and constructive way.” However, Hamas has said any deal must require a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza — something that Tel Aviv is unlikely to accept.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza has left the territory in ruins, leading to widespread famine and killing more than 36,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials. More than 290 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the Gaza war began.

In the United States, Israel’s main ally, the scale of Gaza’s suffering has put pressure on Mr Biden as he campaigns for the presidency this year. On Friday, he urged Israel’s leaders to resist domestic pressure to continue the war “indefinitely”.

Prime Minister Netanyahu may soon get his chance to argue in Washington. His office said he had accepted invitations to address both houses of the US Congress. "Representatives of the American people and the entire world need to know the truth about our just fight against those who seek our destruction," he said.

However, opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire and release the hostages, saying his party would support the deal, meaning a ceasefire would likely pass the Israeli parliament.

“The Israeli government cannot ignore President Biden’s positive speech. There is a deal on the table and it should be done,” Lapid said on social media.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-va-cac-ben-keu-goi-israel-va-hamas-dong-y-ke-hoach-hoa-binh-moi-cho-gaza-post297762.html