President Joe Biden has detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the end of the Mideast war.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Mideast war.

Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete cease-fire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

American hostages would be released at this stage, and remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families. Humanitarian assistance would surge during the first phase, with 600 trucks being allowed into Gaza each day.

The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.

The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.

  • @ZaktorEnglish
    12•25 days ago

    From a Washington Post article on it:

    The new element in the proposal would come with a second phase, during which Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal. Under the newly announced plan, the temporary cease-fire would continue beyond the six weeks until such a permanent plan is put in place, provided neither side violated its terms and negotiations continued.

    So the second step is basically optional. Israel can pause the invasion of Rafah, get some hostages back, and then just go back to what they were doing. Netanyahu’s already said all the hostages are not enough for him to stop, he also requires the destruction of Hamas (the people who are supposed to accept the negotiated terms) and long-term security control over Gaza (i.e., reestablish the occupation), so the negotiations are probably doomed from the start. It’s really a one-phase plan for a limited hostage swap masquerading as three.