Netanyahu faces coalition disintegration as far-right ministers make threats in Israel.
The Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, declares on social media that he will not partake in a government that approves the proposed plan. Smotrich declares that the conflict will only cease when the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas is "eliminated" and all hostages are "returned."
On Friday, US President Joe Biden stated in a televised address at the White House that Israel had put forth a "comprehensive" plan for the Gaza Strip's ceasefire negotiations and the liberation of prisoners. He pleaded, "It's time to end this combat." Biden emphasized that the possibility of peace shouldn't be "squandered." The proposal, as stated by the US president, is a "roadmap to a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages." According to Biden, the deal must be accepted by Hamas.
Biden detailed that Israel's multi-phase offer covers a full ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops from all populated areas in the Gaza Strip, and a phased release of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the injured, in exchange for the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. A six-week timetable is proposed for these events.
During these six weeks, Israel and Hamas would negotiate a "permanent cessation of hostilities," with the ceasefire remaining in effect as long as the talks proceeded. The second stage would involve the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas must release "all remaining hostages." Should both sides abide by the deal, the fighting would end. The third phase entails the implementation of a reconstruction and stabilization plan for the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu re-emphasized on Saturday that Israel would carry on the war until achieving all its objectives. "Israel's demands for ending the war remain unchanged," affirmed the Israeli prime minister. Amid these demands were the annihilation of Hamas' military assets and their power to govern alongside the "return of all hostages." Israel must guarantee that no threat remains from the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday in support of accepting the plan in Tel Aviv. They brandished Israeli and US flags and carried signs bearing slogans like "Bring them home," "Biden is our only hope," and "Biden, we trust you." A protestor by the name of Karen conveyed to the news agency AFP, "Biden cares more about our hostages than Netanyahu."
The militants from Hamas and other militant groups initiated a large-scale assault on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the death of more than 1189 people, as per Israeli data. Moreover, 252 people have been taken hostage in the Gaza Strip, with 121 of them still held by Hamas, per Israeli figures. 37 of these hostages are said to have already perished.
In response to the extensive assault, Israel has been conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip since then. According to the health ministry controlled by Hamas, approximately 36,300 individuals have perished in the violence thus far. This figure cannot be independently verified.
