What’s in the new Israel ceasefire proposal Biden announced?

WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden on May 31 laid out

a three-phase ceasefire proposal

from Israel to Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to end the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

The offer calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the

reconstruction of Gaza.

A senior US official said the 4½-page plan had been sent to Hamas for review on May 30, and that it was “almost identical” to a proposal the militant group had already accepted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on May 31 that it backed the plan.

Here are the three phases as described by Mr Biden in a speech and by US officials at a briefing held later.

Phase 1: Ceasefire, limited hostage release and Israeli withdrawal

Mr Biden said the first phase of Israel’s offer would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete” ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from “all populated areas” of Gaza and the “release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded in exchange for release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners”.

Mr Biden added that in this phase, Palestinian civilians will return to their homes and neighbourhoods in all areas of Gaza, while humanitarian assistance will increase to 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every day.

“With a ceasefire, that aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it. Hundreds of thousands of temporary shelters, including housing units, could be delivered by the international community,” Mr Biden added, saying the first phase could begin immediately after a deal is reached.

The first phase will also include talks between Israel and Hamas to get to the next stage of the proposal.

Phase 2: Release of all hostages, full Israeli withdrawal

Mr Biden called the second phase “a permanent end to hostilities”. However, he added that the negotiations to arrive at the second phase could take longer than six weeks as there were going to be differences between the two sides.

“Israel will want to make sure its interests are protected but the proposal says if the negotiations take longer than six weeks from phase one, the ceasefire will still continue for as long as negotiations continue,” Mr Biden said, which would mark a new development from previous proposals.

He added that the US, Qatar and Egypt will ensure that talks continue during this period until “all agreements are reached” to start the second phase.

The second phase would see a release of all remaining hostages who are alive, including male soldiers, while Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, according to Mr Biden.

He added: “And as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, a temporary ceasefire will become – in the words of the Israeli proposal – the cessation of hostilities permanently.”

Phase 3: Reconstruction, bodies returned

In the third phase, Mr Biden said “a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence and any final remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families”.

Mr Biden said Israel had “devastated Hamas forces over the past eight months”, adding: “At this point, Hamas no longer is capable of carrying out another Oct 7 (attack).”

In the deal to rebuild Gaza, Arab nations and the international community will also participate in a “manner that does not allow Hamas to rearm”, Mr Biden said.

He added that Washington will work with its partners to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza, where the war has displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population and caused widespread hunger. REUTERS