Unlock the US Election Countdown newsletter for free today and stay updated on the latest stories surrounding money and politics in the race for the White House. Recently, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad responded to US President Joe Biden’s proposal to end the eight-month war in Gaza. In their statement, the groups expressed willingness to reach an agreement that prioritizes the interests of the Palestinian people and includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. While details were not provided, there were amendments suggested by the groups, including a timeline for a permanent ceasefire. Talks will continue with the help of mediators to determine if a deal can be reached.
Qatar and Egypt, along with the US, have been actively involved in the mediation efforts and confirmed that they have received a response from the Palestinian factions. They are committed to continuing their efforts until an agreement is reached. The US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, confirmed that the White House has received Hamas’s reply and is currently evaluating it. This response comes in the midst of Biden’s three-stage plan to end the war, which has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also expressed his commitment to the plan, although there has been opposition from far-right factions within the government.
Despite the acceptance of the proposal by the war cabinet, there are still goals that Israel aims to achieve before ending the war, which includes the destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages seized by the group. However, Israeli officials believe that the outlined plan allows them to meet these conditions and they intend to do so. Biden’s plan, which was supported by the UN Security Council, outlines a comprehensive approach to ending the conflict with immediate ceasefire, exchange of hostages, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a multiyear reconstruction effort. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
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