Two US officials elaborate on details of President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza
(MENAFN) In a series of recent press statements, two United States officials have elaborated on the details of President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza. As reported by Reuters, the officials noted that Biden announced the proposal independently, without prior approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They emphasized that this unilateral move was a strategic decision, aimed at tightening the constraints on both Israel and Hamas, thereby reducing their ability to retreat from the negotiations.
To revive the stalled negotiations, two senior officials from the Biden administration are currently in the Middle East. Their mission centers on brokering a deal that would establish a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate an exchange of prisoners between Israel and the Palestinians. CIA Director William Burns has arrived in Doha, while Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for Middle East Affairs, is in Cairo as of Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Arab mediators have conveyed that President Biden has urged leaders in the Middle East to finalize an agreement by the following week. Despite these efforts, mediators caution that deep-rooted mistrust and significant disagreements between the parties are likely to pose substantial challenges to the negotiations.
Insider reports indicate that Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel presented a ceasefire proposal to Hamas officials in Doha on Wednesday. Concurrently, an Israeli official stated that Tel Aviv is awaiting an official response from Hamas before determining the next steps in the negotiations.
President Biden’s proposal is organized into three phases. The initial phase calls for a six-week ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from all populated areas in Gaza. This phase also includes the release of specific prisoners in Gaza, notably elderly individuals and women, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
As these diplomatic efforts continue, the international community remains vigilant, aware of the significant hurdles yet hopeful for a positive outcome. The successful negotiation of this ceasefire could represent a crucial turning point in the longstanding conflict, potentially paving the way for a more stable and peaceful future in the region.
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