NEWSWEEK
Hamas has welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden‘s newly announced proposal for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war with the Palestinian movement in the Gaza Strip.
The proposal, unveiled by Biden in remarks delivered Friday at the White House, was composed of three phases. The first phase would entail a six-week ceasefire, along with an Israeli withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza, the exchange of surviving Hamas-held hostage for hundreds of Palestinians held prisoner, the return of Palestinian civilians to the war-torn territory and the entrance of up to 600 aid trucks.
If realized, the cessation of hostilities would continue through cond phase, during which Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent ceasefire. Finally, a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction would be established and the bodies of the dead returned.
“It’s time for this war to end and for the day after begin,” Biden said.
In a rare sign of tacit approval toward the U.S., which has supported Israel throughout the conflict even amid rifts over humanitarian concerns, Hamas said it “positively views” the proposal put forth by Biden, arguing that the “U.S. position and what was established of conviction on the regional and international stage on the necessity to put an end to the war on Gaza are the result of the legendary steadfastness of our people and their valiant resistance.
“Hamas confirms its readiness to deal positively and in a constructive manner with any proposal that is based on the permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from the Gaza Strip, the reconstruction [of Gaza], and the return of the displaced to their places,” the group said, “along with the fulfillment of a genuine prisoner swap deal if the occupation clearly announces commitment to such deal.”
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