Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the successful negotiation of a Gaza ceasefire agreement for hostages between Israel and Hamas that had been in the works for months, ending more than 15 months of conflict. The agreed agreement is structured in three phases, including a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of hostages, including the Americans.
Biden said the final deal, which was facilitated by an envoy of his successor Donald Trump, largely mirrors the outlines of the proposal he made in May.
“This plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be implemented extensively by the incoming administration. That’s why I fully commend my team to the incoming administration,” Biden said in his farewell speech from the Oval Office on Wednesday night. Have been asked to keep informed.”
first stage
Noting the details of the ceasefire agreement between Palestine-based Hamas and Israel, Biden said, “The deal is structured in three phases.”
The first phase will last six weeks and will see a “complete ceasefire”, Biden said while announcing the ceasefire.
The president said that in this phase, “numerous hostages” held by Hamas would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including women, the elderly and the sick. He did not say how many hostages would be freed, but Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani had earlier told reporters it would be 33.
According to a BBC report, three hostages would be released immediately, with the rest being exchanged in six weeks.
Furthermore, in the first six weeks after the agreement comes into force on 19 January, Israeli forces will pull out of “all” populated areas of Gaza and “Palestinians can also return to their neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza.” Biden said.
He said the ceasefire would continue “as long as negotiations continue”. There will also be an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, with hundreds of lorries allowed in each day.
According to Biden, many details need to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two, but the plan states that if negotiations take more than six weeks, a ceasefire will be in place while negotiations continue. Will continue.
Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced by Israeli evacuation orders, Israeli attacks and fighting on the ground.
second phase
According to Biden, the second phase of the agreement would be a “permanent end to the war”, and the release of remaining surviving hostages, including men, in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.
Additionally, all remaining Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent, Biden said.
Earlier, Palestinian officials said detailed negotiations for the second and third phases would begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.
Hamas captured 251 hostages when it attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. There are reportedly still 94 captives, although Israel believes only 60 survive. Meanwhile, Israel may release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages.
third step
The third and final phase of the deal would include the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, and the return of the bodies of remaining hostages.
Biden said, “And finally Phase 3 – any last remains of executed hostages will be returned to their families and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin.”
He said, “Those who have followed the negotiations can attest that the road to this deal has not been easy. I have worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the most difficult negotiations I have ever faced.” I’ve experienced it. I’ve reached this point.” “Because of the pressure that Israel put on the US-backed Hamas.”
