What Hamas said about Israel's new proposal to end the war in Gaza

International Desk: US President Joe Biden has called on Hamas to accept Israel's new proposal to end the war in Gaza, which is besieged by Palestine. He said, the time has come to end this war. The new three-phase proposal calls for a full ceasefire in Gaza. Now it's time to decide. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas views this offer of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza positively.

Hamas said in a statement on Friday that Hamas is ready to view positively and constructively any proposal for a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people to their homes, and a genuine prisoner exchange. Hamas said Biden's call for a permanent ceasefire was "a result of the legendary tenacity of our people's struggle and their vigilant resistance".

This comment of Hamas brought relief to those concerned. Hamas has long complained that the United States has openly sided with Israel to block the ceasefire. A Palestinian official involved in mediating the truce told Reuters that Hamas now sees the US focusing on pressuring Israel to return to talks with a different stance.

They are sending a message to Israel that if they don't accept a cease-fire, they risk getting into a conflict with America. A US official said on condition of anonymity that the cease-fire proposal is four and a half pages long. It details the terms of the ceasefire. The official said Hamas had received the proposal the night before. It will take time for them to make a decision. He also said that all the demands that Hamas had raised in the past have been met, except for minor ones.

The new cease-fire proposal proposed by Israel and announced by the United States has three phases. Israel itself has not announced this proposal. US President Joe Biden outlined this in a televised address on Friday night. Many analysts say there is nothing new in this. These proposals have come many times from different parties. But what is new is that it was announced by US President Joe Biden. What is in Israel's new proposal? According to the BBC report, the proposal is to be implemented in three phases.

A six-week ceasefire will be implemented in the first phase. During this time, Israeli troops will be withdrawn from all populated areas of Gaza. Hamas will release a 'specified number' of hostages during the ceasefire. Among them will be women, elderly people and injured hostages. In return, hundreds of people imprisoned in Israel will be released. Apart from this, the bodies of those who died while held hostage by Hamas must be handed over to their families. Palestinian civilians in all areas of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.

Also, the humanitarian assistance program in Gaza will be increased. 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza every day. The international community will provide thousands of temporary shelters for Gazans. Peace talks brokered by the US and Qatar will continue during the six-week ceasefire. If the negotiations are successful, then the next phase of planning will begin. 

Hamas will release the remaining hostages in the second phase. Among them will be hostage male soldiers. At the same time, the last troops of the Israeli forces will be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire will be upgraded to a 'permanent cessation of hostilities'.

In the third phase, the process of returning the hostages will be completed completely. A major 'reconstruction plan' for Gaza will be launched. Under this, houses, schools and hospitals will be rebuilt in the Gaza Strip with US and international assistance.