Hopes high for truce ‘roadmap’

AFP | Washington 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

US President Joe Biden announced that Israel has offered a three-stage “roadmap” to a full ceasefire in the Middle East ally’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, including a troop withdrawal and release of hostages.

“Here’s what it would include: a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded, in exchange for (the) release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners,” Biden said in a speech from the White House.

But shortly after Biden’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his country would pursue the war until it had achieved all its aims. He reiterated that position yesterday, saying that “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel”.

Yesterday, Israeli forces pounded Rafah in southern Gaza with tanks and artillery. ‘Finalise truce’ Gaza mediators Qatar, the US and Egypt called on Israel and Hamas yesterday to finalise a truce and hostage release deal based on the framework set out by US President Joe Biden.

“As mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees, Qatar, the United States and Egypt jointly call on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden,” said a joint statement released by the Qatari foreign ministry.

The three governments have been engaged in months of talks aimed at securing a truce between Israel and Hamas. But behind-the-scenes negotiations reached a stalemate in early May as Israel sent ground forces into Rafah. ‘

'Views positive’

Hamas, meanwhile, said it “views positively” the Israeli plan laid out by Biden. The US leader urged Hamas to accept the Israeli offer. “It’s time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,” Biden said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called his counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to press the deal.

‘Strong hopes’

UN chief Antonio Guterres “strongly hopes” the latest development “will lead to an agreement by the parties for lasting peace”, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the offer provides “a possible path out of the war’s deadlock”, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed a “balanced and realistic” approach to end the bloodshed. Saudi Arabia stressed its “support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire” and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Indonesia, meanwhile, said it was ready to send “significant peacekeeping forces” and medical personnel to Gaza if a ceasefire is agreed.

Safety net

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the government “cannot ignore Biden’s important speech” and should accept the proposed deal, vowing to back Netanyahu if his far-right coalition partners quit over it.