Roadmap to Israel-Hamas Hostage Return and Cease Fire is Discussed

The three-part cease-fire plan is backed by the European Commission, the U.K., Germany, France, Egypt, Qatar and other Arab governments. | Khames Alrefi/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

“The controversy began on Wednesday, when Israel’s war cabinet made an offer for a ceasefire to Hamas, against the wishes of Netanyahu. Hamas rejected the bid on Thursday, but seemed to reconsider when Biden urged them to on Friday, saying they viewed the offer “positively.”

“Netanyahu then tried to backtrack on his own war cabinet’s proposal on Saturday, arguing that any deal that didn’t destroy Hamas was a “non-starter.” Two far-right ministers doubled-down on that argument, threatening to quit — and thereby dissolve the coalition government — if Netanyahu accepted the deal.”

“The first phase of the proposed deal would would last for six weeks and would include a cease-fire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a some hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

“The second phase would include the release of all remaining of living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. 

“The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war. The 4-1/2 page Israeli proposal was transmitted to Hamas on Thursday.”

AP

AP and Reuters. Politico