President Joe Biden declared on Friday that Hamas has been significantly weakened and can no longer launch attacks like the one that initiated the current eight-month conflict in Gaza. He outlined a three-phase proposal from Israel to bring an end to the ongoing crisis, emphasizing that it is time for the war to end. Biden’s comments marked a strong signal to Israel that its primary objectives in Gaza have been achieved and that a cessation of hostilities should follow as part of a broader hostage release deal.
Biden detailed the Israeli plan, which begins with a six-week phase involving the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the release of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. He described this proposal as the best opportunity to achieve peace in Gaza and stressed the importance of seizing this decisive moment to stop the fighting.
