In a bid to quell the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas militants, U.S. President Joe Biden has put forth a fresh ceasefire plan, calling on Hamas to agree to its terms for the sake of de-escalation and humanitarian relief.
During a statement issued on Friday, Biden emphasized the urgency of reaching a ceasefire agreement, asserting that such a move would facilitate the safe distribution of aid to those affected by the conflict.
“As someone who’s had a lifelong commitment to Israel… I ask you to take a step back, think what will happen if this moment is lost,” Biden stressed. “We can’t lose this moment.”
The proposed plan includes provisions for the release of sick, elderly, and wounded hostages in Gaza in exchange for a six-week ceasefire, extendable to accommodate further humanitarian assistance to the besieged enclave.
However, previous negotiations faltered earlier this month when Israel rejected a permanent cessation of hostilities as part of the deal, instead intensifying its offensive in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Despite Hamas signaling readiness for a comprehensive agreement, ongoing aggression has hindered progress in negotiations, with both sides pointing fingers at each other for the stalemate.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is set to meet with diplomats from 17 countries on Friday to address the issue of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli authorities maintain that any ceasefire must include the return of surviving hostages, reaffirming their stance against unilateral halts in fighting.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of heightened tensions, exemplified by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that claimed the lives of 45 Palestinians.
While the conflict has seen substantial casualties, the United States has indicated no plans to withdraw military aid in response to recent Israeli operations in Rafah.
According to Palestinian health authorities, over 36,280 people have lost their lives in Gaza since the outbreak of violence, with an Israeli tally putting the death toll from the Hamas assault at around 1,200.
