UPDATE 15:00 WASHINGTON, DC TIME
Both Israel and Hamas have indicated acceptance of the UN ceasefire-hostage resolution, with statements made on Tuesday. However, an official, informed by mediators, reports that neither party has provided a formal response to the US-endorsed proposal.
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Less than 24 hours after its presentation, Israel has agreed to a UN-backed peace deal. Meanwhile, Hamas has also consented to the deal, but both parties have conditions that they want to be addressed before laying down their arms and releasing hostages.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Tel Aviv, stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the Gaza ceasefire agreement during their meeting in Jerusalem. Blinken also conveyed his belief in a “strong consensus” among Israeli leaders to move forward with the plan. Netanyahu has stressed that any permanent ceasefire must hinge on the dismantling of Hamas’ military and governance capabilities.
“This proposal and moving forward on it is the first step,” Blinken told reporters. “We want to see it come to fruition.”
Blinken stated that Hamas’s positive response to the UN Security Council’s resolution on Monday is a “hopeful sign.” He emphasized that while the US is committed to defeating Hamas, military action alone is not sufficient.
A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, informed Reuters that the group has consented to the ceasefire resolution passed by the UN Security Council. “The U.S. administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution,” Abu Zuhri he told Reuters on Tuesday.
Also speaking to Reuters Osama Hamdan, another senior Hamas leader, echoed calls for a permanent ceasefire and said the group is ready for a fair prisoner exchange deal, but he said The UN resolution is flawed, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been identified as an impediment to reaching an agreement due to his actions aligning solely with Israel’s preferences.
He continued “The problem in the entire situation is the American stance and Blinken needs to be more precise. All disruptions were carried out by ‘Israel’ with American approval. Attempts to pressure mediators will not succeed in changing Hamas’s stance.”
Blinken has made his thoughts on Hamas clear and that is they are a terrorist organization who still holds hostage 120 people of all ages including US citizens. The Secretary of State has also been vocal in his position that Hamas has no future in a new Gaza and that the US remains in lockstep with Israel.
The United Nations Security Council recently adopted a resolution endorsing a three-phase cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This plan was proposed by President Joe Biden and accepted by Israel.
Here is the deal as President Biden presented it on May 31st.
PHASE ONE
In the initial phase, Israeli forces will retreat from densely populated zones in Gaza, and the release of some American hostages will commence. Concurrently, Palestinians will be able to return to their residences throughout Gaza, including northern regions. Additionally, the influx of humanitarian aid will increase, with 600 trucks delivering assistance to Gaza daily.
With a ceasefire that aid could be safely and effectively distributed, Biden said. Thousands of temporary shelters including housing units will be delivered by the international community. “All that and more would begin immediately,” Biden said.
PHASE TWO
The second phase includes the release of all remaining living hostages, encompassing male soldiers, coupled with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza—a pivotal move in tackling the persistent Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Provided that Hamas adheres to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire, as per the Israeli proposals, would evolve into a ‘permanent cessation of hostilities,’” stated Biden.
PHASE THREE
The third phase involves initiating a significant reconstruction of Gaza, which requires decades of rebuilding due to the war’s devastation. The reconstruction efforts in Gaza are expected to potentially involve new regional partners, such as Saudi Arabia, which has been seeking a security agreement with the U.S. and a formal relationship with Israel to foster long-term peace in the region and ultimately establish a Palestinian State.,
In a statement made just hours before its delivery, President Biden highlighted that Israel has put forward “a comprehensive new proposal,” which serves as a roadmap to a lasting cease-fire and the release of all hostages. He mentioned that Qatar had conveyed this proposal to Hamas after extensive diplomatic efforts by U.S. officials in collaboration with their Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari counterparts.
Biden recognized, “I am aware that there are individuals in Israel who disagree with this plan and advocate for the continuation of the war. Some of them are part of the government coalition. Their desire is to occupy Gaza, to continue the conflict for years, and they do not prioritize the hostages.”
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
