US President proposes new ceasefire in Gaza

The first phase includes a six-week ceasefire, requiring Israeli forces to withdraw from “all populated areas” in Gaza; some hostages – including elderly people and women – to be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners; Palestinian civilians to return home and 600 trucks a day to bring humanitarian aid to the devastated enclave.

In a second phase, whose duration has yet to be determined, Hamas and Israel would negotiate terms for a permanent cessation of hostilities, with a ceasefire lasting as long as negotiations continue. The third phase would include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.

“It is time for this war to end,” said Mr Biden, who is under pressure in a US election year to stop the conflict in Gaza.

Palestinians evacuate the Jabalia refugee camp following an Israeli raid in the northern Gaza Strip on May 31, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Hamas has given a positive response to the US proposal, saying it is ready to engage "positively and constructively" with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, Gaza reconstruction, the return of displaced people and a prisoner exchange deal if Israel "clearly declares its commitment to that agreement".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had authorized his negotiating team to review the deal, but continued to stress: "The war will not end until all objectives are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the destruction of Hamas."

In another development, the Israeli military said its forces had ended operations in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza after days of heavy fighting, while advancing deeper into Rafah in southern Gaza to target “the last major Hamas stronghold.”

Previous talks brokered by Egypt, Qatar and others to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, with each side blaming the other for the impasse.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-dua-ra-de-xuat-ngung-ban-moi-o-gaza-hamas-noi-dong-y-israel-van-cung-ran-post297666.html