Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are calling for the acceptance of a proposal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the nearly 8-month-long war and bring their relatives home. Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas, urging both parties to reach an agreement to release the hostages and bodies of those killed in exchange for an extended cease-fire in Gaza. The talks for a cease-fire stalled last month after a failed attempt to secure a deal to prevent a full-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.
Israel confirmed its troops were operating in central parts of Rafah as part of an assault to uproot Hamas fighters responsible for triggering the war. In response, around 1 million Palestinians fled the city, causing chaos for U.N. humanitarian operations in the area. The families of the hostages are urging both Israel and Hamas to accept Biden’s proposal to bring their loved ones home and put an end to the conflict. They view this as a crucial moment and emphasize the importance of saving lives.
The proposal comes after a meeting with Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, where the families were told that the government was not prepared to sign a deal to bring all the hostages home. Hanegbi expects the war to continue for another seven months in order to dismantle Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Many families blame the government for delaying a deal, which they believe led to the deaths of some hostages. The proposed deal by Biden includes implementing a full cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and releasing hostages in phases.
Biden acknowledged that there are many details to negotiate to move from the first phase to the second, and that Israel can resume military operations if Hamas fails to fulfill its commitments under the deal. Hamas has expressed a positive view of the proposal and called for Israel to explicitly commit to a permanent cease-fire, prisoner exchange, and other conditions. The proposal represents hope for ending the war and bringing the hostages home, providing a potential pathway to peace in the region.
Experts note that while the proposal is similar to previous ones, it offers the potential for an undefined hiatus in the conflict, allowing for the renewal of the war and diminishment of Hamas’ governing capabilities over time. Biden’s speech is seen as a pivotal moment in the war, providing hope for a possible resolution. The international community has also expressed support for the proposal, urging Hamas to show willingness to end the conflict. Fighting continues in Gaza, with Israel targeting Hamas fighters responsible for attacks.
Egypt, the United States, and Israel are set to meet in Cairo to discuss the Rafah crossing, which has been closed since May. The crossing is vital for aid to enter Gaza, with Egypt demanding that Palestinians regain control. The closure of the crossing has been a point of contention, with the White House pressing Egypt to resume the flow of aid. The war in Gaza was sparked by an attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel in October, leading to a significant number of casualties on both sides. The proposed deal by Biden represents a potential pathway to peace and resolution in the region.
