Conflict in the Middle East region - The US intensifies its efforts on Hamas and Israel.
Recently, President Joe Biden was at the White House in Washington, where he unexpectedly announced an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. This announcement pressured both allies and increased the pressure on Islamist Hamas. Biden declared, "It's time to end this war."
According to him, "Israel has made its proposal. Hamas says it wants a ceasefire. This deal is an opportunity to prove if they really mean it." He added, "Hamas must accept the offer." In response, Hamas perceived Biden's intentions positively, especially the goal of a permanent ceasefire. They stated, "If the Hamas rejects the proposal, the Biden administration will use it to argue that it has done everything to achieve a ceasefire and that Hamas is responsible for the continuation of the violence."
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, via his office, stated that the proposed plan would permit Israel to uphold the principle that the war would only cease when all objectives were accomplished, including the destruction of Hamas. However, a brief statement from Netanyahu failed to mention the US or Biden's speech. Previously, Biden explained, "I know there are some in Israel who are not in agreement with this plan and will demand the continuation of the war indefinitely. I have asked the Israeli leadership to stand behind this deal." He further stated, "Israel needn't fear its security anymore."
After several months of war, Hamas is no longer capable of orchestrating massacres like the one on October 7. If Israel pursues an unlimited war with the aim of a loosely defined "total victory" over Hamas, it risks being trapped in Gaza and experiencing further international isolation. In addition, this strategy will not bring Israel the security it aspires to have.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed optimism on the platform X, saying, "The Israeli proposal that US President Biden explained and confirmed today could be a glimmer of hope and a way out of the dead end of war." Hamas must now demonstrate its commitment to ending the conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope, with his spokesman Stephane Dujarric stating, "The Secretary-General hopes very much that this will lead to an agreement between the parties for a lasting peace."
The plan suggested by Biden involves three phases: a full six-week ceasefire with unrestricted operations, an Israeli troop withdrawal from densely populated areas in Gaza, and the release of specific hostages such as women, the elderly, and the injured. Similarly, hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be set free. In phase two, fighting would cease permanently, and the remaining hostages would be released. In the final phase, Gaza's reconstruction would commence.
A senior US government official reported that Israel had agreed to a proposal mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. He emphasized the importance of divulging the proposal's details because opponents of a deal might misrepresent the suggestions. The official added, "The proposal is painstakingly crafted and is almost identical to what the Hamas proposed a few weeks ago." For weeks, the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been facilitating dialogue between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the remaining hostages and achieve a ceasefire.
Efforts thus far have been fruitless. The Hamas previously maintained that hostage release would only occur after the conflict ended. Israel has rejected this demand. Aaron David Miller, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Foundation, informed the "Wall Street Journal," "Biden's strategy is to get Israel and the Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement that could disrupt the status quo and end the war." Nevertheless, there may be doubts about whether Israel will agree with this. Netanyahu may think he can continue the war after the first phase or calculate that the Hamas could reject the agreement from the beginning.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron quickly supported Biden's proposed plan, writing, "Let's seize this moment and end the conflict." He urged the Hamas to accept the newly proposed terms, adding, "An end to the fighting could lead to lasting peace if everyone accepts the necessary steps." Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has been invited to address the US Congress, despite significant criticism of his actions in Gaza. This invitation came from the leaders of both parties in the US Congress. The letter was signed by the Republican chairman of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy; the Republican minority leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell; and the top Democrats in both legislative chambers, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. No date has been mentioned.
Following the atrocity, Israel's army conducted extensive aerial assaults and a land invasion in the crowded coastal area, which is a densely populated territory. Over 36,000 people have lost their lives while around 82,000 others have been hurt as per Gaza's health authorities who are under Hamas' control. These statistics, which are hard to confirm, do not categorize victims as civilians or fighters.
