Israel Agrees to Framework of Biden's Plan for Gaza War End, Awaits Final Deal

An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that Israel has tentatively agreed to the framework for President Joe Biden's plan to halt the conflict in Gaza, although expressing dissatisfaction with the terms. The negotiations are ongoing, and Israel has yet to confirm its official position. NBC News has contacted the Israeli Prime Minister's Office for further comments on this matter.

President Biden's Proposal

President Biden revealed that Israel proposed a three-part plan that will lead to a complete cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. This plan also includes the release of all hostages who have been detained for the past eight months. President Biden emphasized the need to put an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and heralded the proposal as a step towards achieving that goal.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to undermine the plan by stating that a permanent cease-fire in Gaza is not viable until specific conditions are met. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel's prerequisites for ending the war include the dismantling of Hamas's military and governing capacities, the unconditional release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.

Biden's Revised Approach

President Biden's proposal reframed the conclusion of the conflict, shifting the focus from the total destruction of Hamas, as sought by Israel, to a weakened Hamas that is "no longer capable" of launching large-scale attacks on Israel. Biden expressed that an indefinite pursuit of absolute victory would only entangle Israel in Gaza.

Domestic Controversy

Far-right factions within Netanyahu's cabinet vehemently opposed Biden's proposal, exposing the internal political pressures faced by Netanyahu. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declared their strong objections to the outlined plan, with Ben Gvir even threatening to dissolve the government if Netanyahu agrees to the proposal.

International Support and Response from Hamas

International pressure continued to mount in favor of the U.S., with Spain, France, Germany, and Belgium endorsing the deal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the commitment to the cease-fire in calls to Arab leaders. Additionally, Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. jointly released a statement endorsing the peace plan. Hamas also released a statement expressing positivity towards the elements included in President Biden's speech.

Phases of the Plan

The plan outlines a phased approach, including six weeks of a complete cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and the release of women and children being held hostage in the first phase. The subsequent phases involve the release of all living hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, followed by a comprehensive reconstruction effort in Gaza and the repatriation of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.

Public Support for Cease-Fire

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to advocate for the acceptance of a cease-fire. The Hostages Families Forum, an Israeli organization dedicated to securing the release of hostages captured during the Hamas attack, urged members of Israel's parliament to consider and endorse the agreement, emphasizing the urgency to bring the hostages back home for rehabilitation or burial.