Hamas says they view Biden’s speech on ceasefire deal ‘positively’

CAIRO - 31 May 2024:  Hamas said, Friday that they are viewing ‘positively’ the content of US President Joe Biden’s speech, in which he called for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, along with the reconstruction of the strip, and an exchange of prisoners.

“We consider that this American position and the conviction that has been established on the regional and international scene of the necessity of putting an end to the war on Gaza is the result of the legendary steadfastness of our struggling people and their valiant resistance,” Hamas said

Hamas stressed its readiness to deal ‘positively and constructively’ with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, the return of the displaced to all their places of residence, and the completion of a serious prisoner exchange deal if the Israeli occupation declares its explicit commitment to that.

US President Joe Biden said on Friday that work must be intensified with Egypt, Qatar, and Israel to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

He added during a speech that Israel has proposed a comprehensive deal regarding exchanging prisoners and ending the war in Gaza. He explained that the proposal has three different stages.

The first phase of the Israeli-proposed deal will be implemented over 6 weeks and includes a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The first phase will also include the return of Palestinians and civilians in Gaza to their homes.

The second phase begins with the release of the remaining detainees and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the third phase of the Israeli proposal includes a reconstruction plan for Gaza, according to Biden.

Officials from Egypt, the United States, and Israel are scheduled to meet in Cairo next week to discuss the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, reported Axios, citing US and Israeli officials.

The three countries will also address a plan for securing the Egyptian-Gazan border, according to the officials.

Axios reported that Terry Wolff, the senior director for the Middle East at the White House National Security Council, is expected to visit Egypt in the coming days, leading a US delegation.

Simultaneously, a delegation of Israeli security officials is anticipated to travel to Cairo, as stated by the officials.

US officials stated that the discussions will focus on a plan for reopening the Rafah crossing without Israeli military presence on the Gazan side.

The Rafah crossing has been closed since Israel escalated its operations in Gaza, deploying ground troops to Rafah city near the border with Egypt on May 7.

Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, triggering Egypt’s condemnation. Cairo has since refused to coordinate with Israel on aid delivery to Gaza through the crossing.

However, early this week, Egyptian humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza after being redirected from Rafah to Israel's Karm Abu Salem crossing, based on an agreement between Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Joe Biden.