Egypt, US, and Qatar jointly call for Gaza ceasefire in line with principles outlined by Biden

CAIRO – 1 June 2024: Mediators Egypt, the US, and Qatar have issued a joint call for Hamas and Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement that aligns with the principles outlined by President Joe Biden in his speech on Friday, May 31.

“These principles brought the demands of all parties together in a deal that serves multiple interests,” said the statement.

They highlighted that the deal aims to provide immediate relief to the long-suffering people of Gaza, as well as the captives and their families.

Additionally, the deal offers a roadmap for achieving a permanent ceasefire and resolving the crisis, the mediators emphasized.

During a speech at the White House on Friday, Biden outlined an Israeli proposal to end the war in Gaza, stating that "it's time for this war to end" and urging Hamas to accept the plan.

The plan consists of three phases, starting with a six-week ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza.

Biden mentioned that the plan includes the exchange of captives, with some being released in return for Palestinian prisoners.

The deal also involves a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with 600 aid-loaded shipments entering the strip daily.

The second phase of the plan includes the release of all remaining captives while transitioning the ceasefire into a "permanent cessation of hostilities," according to Biden.

Biden’s initiative has garnered international support, and Biden expressed his urging for Israeli leadership to stand behind the deal despite any political pressures.

We have witnessed too much suffering & destruction in Gaza. It's time to stop.

I welcome @POTUS Biden’s initiative & encourage all parties to seize this opportunity for a ceasefire, release of all hostages, guaranteed unhindered humanitarian access & ultimately a durable peace…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 31, 2024

Progress in the talks has been hindered over the past three weeks due to Israel's move and its incursion into Rafah city. However, there is renewed hope with the introduction of a new proposal.

Hamas, which has maintained its demand for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, has expressed a "positive" view of the proposal.

In response to Biden's initiative, Israel’s Prime Minister called a permanent ceasefire in Gaza a “nonstarter” until its war aims, including destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities, are met.

Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich threatened today to resign and dismantle Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if it accepts the war-ending proposal presented by Biden.

Biden asserted that Hamas has become unable to carry out large-scale attacks against Israel like the one of October 7, which triggered the war.

As part of the first phase of the proposal, Israeli media citing the London newspaper Al-Majlah reported that 33 captive civilians held by Hamas will be released in exchange for a corresponding number of Palestinians being freed from Israeli prisons.

The second phase aims for a permanent peace, complete cessation of military activities, and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The final phase of the plan involves the transfer of bodies and remains between Israel and Hamas while implementing a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza under international supervision.

This stage is expected to bring an end to the siege on Gaza, according to the reports.

In a phone call on Saturday, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the proposal outlined by Biden.

Shoukry reiterated Egypt's support for all efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza and facilitating a prisoner swap deal.