Leaders of 17 nations call on Hamas to take Gaza cease-fire deal
Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden outlined a three-phase, cease-fire proposal The leaders of 17 countries, including the United States, have urged Hamas to agree to a cease-fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The agreement would establish a "full and complete cease-fires" as Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and humanitarian assistance increases. Hamas would release hostages in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian protesters. The second phase would see the release of all remaining hostages and Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza completely. The final phase would focus on reconstruction of Gaza. The leaders of the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom also signed on the statement.
Publicados : 11 meses atrás por Ryan Chatelain no World
The leaders of 17 countries, including the United States, issued a joint statement Thursday urging Hamas to agree to a cease-fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
“As leaders of countries deeply concerned for the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including many of our own citizens, we fully support the movement towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal now on the table and as outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024,” the letter said. “There is no time to lose.”
The first phase would last six weeks and establish a “full and complete cease-fire” as Israeli forces withdrew from densely populated areas of Gaza and humanitarian assistance into the region surged. Meanwhile, Hamas would release a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian protesters.
The second phase calls for the release of all remaining living hostages and Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza completely.
The final phase would focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
“We note that this agreement would lead to an immediate ceasefire and rehabilitation of Gaza together with security assurances for Israelis, and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more enduring long-term peace and a two-state solution,” the statement said. “At this decisive moment, we call on the leaders of Israel as well as Hamas to make whatever final compromises are necessary to close this deal and bring relief to the families of our hostages, as well as those on both sides of this terrible conflict, including the civilian populations. It is time for the war to end and this deal is the necessary starting point.”
Biden has said the proposal was first outlined by Israel and Thursday’s statement claimed “Israel is ready to move forward with” the the plan.
But publicly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed. Those conditions are the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, the release of all Israeli hostages and a guarantee that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Meanwhile, two far-right members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition have threatened to bring down the government if the prime minister signs a cease-fire deal.
In addition to the U.S., the leaders of Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom signed onto the statement.