Washington: As mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar jointly called on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined in a new proposal by the United States President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024, the US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said here today (IST).
After intensive diplomacy carried out by his team and his many conversations with leaders of Israel, Qatar, and Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, Biden, on May 31, disclosed Israel offering a comprehensive new proposal, which he termed as a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages. This proposal, Biden announced, was transmitted by Qatar to Hamas. The proposal has three phases. The first phase lasts for six weeks and includes a “full and complete” ceasefire; a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza; a release of a number of hostages — including women, the elderly, and the wounded — in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. “There are American hostages who would be released at this stage, and we want them home,” Biden said. Additionally, some remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families, while Palestinians — civilians — would return to their homes and neighbourhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north. Moreover, humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day. While all of that was to begin immediately, during the six weeks of phase one, Israel and Hamas would negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two, “which is a permanent end to hostilities”.
In phase two, there would be an exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers; Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza; and as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, a temporary ceasefire would become, in the words of the propo- — the Israeli proposal, “the cessation of hostilities permanently,” end of quote. “Cessation of hostilities permanently.”
Finally, in phase three, a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence. And any final remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.
According to the joint statement, these principles brought the demands of all parties together in a deal that serves multiple interests and will bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families.
“This deal offers a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis,” the joint statement said.
Earlier, the United States of America’s Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke to Qatari Prime Minister, Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, about the proposed deal to reach a full and complete ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, and bring about a lasting peace. They discussed the roadmap’s benefits for the people of Gaza, including through an influx of humanitarian aid, the return of displaced civilians to North Gaza, and the start of reconstruction efforts.
Blinken also called for Hamas to accept the deal without delay, underscoring the benefits the deal would provide to the Palestinian people.
On May 31, 2024, Blinken also spoke to Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi and discussed the proposal submitted to Hamas that would achieve an immediate ceasefire, secure the release of all hostages, and end the war in Gaza.
– global bihari bureau
