US President Joe Biden told reporters on Thursday that his ceasefire deal has been agreed to by both Israel and Hamas. Biden further commented there were still issues to work out but, ultimately, the war must end, and Israel must not occupy the enclave after the war.
Biden successful with ceasefire
“That framework is now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas. So I sent my team to the region to hammer out the details,” Biden said in a news conference, as per Reuters.
In late May, Biden outlined his proposal which consisted of three phases meant to achieve a ceasefire. This includes the release of hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and the rebuilding of the enclave.
CIA Director Bill Burns and US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk made a trip to the Middle East this week to meet with regional counterparts. The goal is to talk about the ceasefire agreement.
“These are difficult, complex issues. There are still gaps to close. We’re making progress. The trend is positive. I’m determined to get this deal done and bring an end to this war, which should end now,” Biden said in the press conference, as reported by Reuters.
Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has accepted a crucial element of the US plan, removing its demand that Israel commits first to a permanent ceasefire before signing the proposal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stern on the point that the agreement must not stop Israel from continuing its fight against Hamas. At the beginning of the war, he swore to annihilate the Islamist group.
Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday that the Prime Minister was committed to securing a ceasefire in Gaza agreement if Israel’s red lines were respected.
Biden told reporters on Thursday that Israel must not occupy Gaza while also putting forward some challenges to Israel’s war cabinet. He said, “Israel occasionally was less than cooperative.”
The US President also voiced some disappointment, as several of his efforts have not worked out in Gaza. He noted the planned winding down of the US military’s humanitarian pier off the coast of Gaza as an example, according to Reuters. “I was hopeful that would be more successful,” Biden said.
The Biden administration has been hit with criticism from all angles on the international stage for its eternal support for Israel in the face of surging civilian casualties.
The US, a critical ally for Israel, has experienced waves of protests around the country in opposition to the war and to US support of Netanyahu’s government.
A handful of US administration officials have left their jobs, highlighting opposition to Biden’s Gaza policy.
Human rights supporters have also noted a surge in antisemitism and anti-Muslim sentiment in the US amid the war.
