By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - A deal presented to Hamas by Israel lays out what US President Joe Biden has described as a "roadmap" that could lead to an "enduring cease-fire, and the release of all hostages" that continue to be held in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The proposal envisions a three-phase agreement that would culminate with a multi-year process to rebuild the badly-damaged coastal enclave, and the return of all hostages, living and dead, according to Biden and one of his senior officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.
- 3-phase deal
The first phase, envisioned as lasting for at least six weeks, would see "a full and complete cease-fire" implemented in Gaza in addition to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from what Biden described as "all populated areas of Gaza."
His official clarified that includes "densely populated areas" where Israeli forces are operating.
An unspecified number of hostages would also be released during the initial period, including women, the elderly and the injured, in exchange for the release of what Biden said would be "hundreds" of Palestinian prisoners.
The remains of some of the hostages who have died would also be returned, and Palestinian civilians would be allowed to return to their homes and neighborhoods throughout Gaza, including in the north where Israel has implemented sweeping restrictions. Humanitarian aid deliveries would also scale up dramatically to reach 600 trucks per day, according to Biden.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel would also continue during this time, and Biden acknowledged the thorniness of the issues that will have to be addressed before phase two, which includes a "permanent end to hostilities" can begin. If negotiators are unable to reach an agreement within the initial six-week span, the proposal contains language that allows for the cease-fire to remain in place as long as the talks continue. Egypt, Qatar and the US will work to ensure that the negotiations continue "until all the agreements are reached, and phase two is able to begin," Biden said.
One of the outstanding issues that would have to be resolved is the ratio of Palestinian prisoners that would be freed in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, according to Biden's senior official.
"We're not going to work that out now. But it'll be worked out over the first six weeks, and so long as those talks are ongoing, the benefits to the deal for everybody in the first phase will continue," the official said.
The prisoner swap ratio is a critical issue because in the second phase, all living hostages would be freed, including all male Israeli military personnel. Israel's forces would also fully withdraw from Gaza.
"As long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, a temporary ceasefire would become, in the words of the Israeli proposal, 'the cessation of hostilities permanently,'" said Biden.
Both phase one and phase two are envisioned as lasting about 42 days, according to the official.
- Construction of Gaza
The final phase is when reconstruction activities to rebuild Gaza would begin.
That "pretty extensive" process is outlined in the proposal, and is estimated to take between three to five years, Biden's official told reporters on a background briefing. The effort would be "fully backed" by the US, the international community, and unspecified "others," the official said.
"By the time you get to phase three, I think you're very much in the rehabilitation of Gaza and stabilization," he added.
Phase three would also include the exchange of any additional hostage remains still held in Gaza.
"You can't lose this moment. Indefinite war in pursuit of an unidentified notion of total victory will only bog down Israel in Gaza," Biden said as he urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stave off opposition to the agreement from some members of his ruling coalition.
- 'Time for this war'
"Everyone who wants peace now must raise their voices, let the leaders know, they should take this deal, work to make it real, make it lasting, and forge a better future out of the tragic terror attack and war. It's time to begin this new stage. The hostages to come home, for Israel to be secure, for the suffering to stop. It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin," he added.
Hamas, Biden said, is "no longer is capable of carrying out another October 7" attack, saying Israel has achieved one of its main goals for the war. That appears to be an effort to pressure Israel to reach an agreement with Hamas to implement the agreement.
The proposal presented by Israel is "nearly identical to Hamas' own proposals of only a few weeks ago. So if that's what Hamas wants, they can take the deal," the official said.
- What Israel says?
Following the conclusion of Biden's address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Friday reiterated his intention to continue the country's offensive in the Gaza Strip until all of Tel Aviv's war goals are achieved.
"The war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities," Netanyahu's office said.
It added, however, that the Israeli premier authorized his negotiating team to "present an outline for achieving this goal," in reference to the hostages' release.
Asked about the comments from Netanyahu's office, the official maintained, "this deal, at this stage in the conflict, is the path for long-term security for Israel. And the path to bring the hostages home."
"And I think the arrangements, and some of the day after planning, helps ensure that Hamas' military capacity to regenerate in a way that can threaten Israel would be very much foreclosed under this arrangement," the official said.