Joe Biden Proposes Ceasefire, Hamas Gives Positive Reaction

Biden proposed a ceasefire in Gaza (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

GAZA - President of the United States, Joe Biden has proposed a ceasefire to quell the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The proposal was welcomed positively by Hamas as the front line of Palestine on Friday, May 31.

Earlier still on that day, Biden said that Israel had offered Hamas a new three-stage proposal with a roadmap that would lead to an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip as well as the release of all hostages.

"The Hamas Islamic Resistance Movement welcomes the idea of US President Joe Biden's speech... in his call for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction (Gaza Strip) and prisoner exchange," Hamas said in a statement.

Earlier, Israel had offered Hamas a new proposal of three stages to reach an agreement on a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages in the Gaza conflict, US President Joe Biden said on Friday.

"Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal, this is a roadmap towards an eternal ceasefire and the release of all hostages," Biden said at a news conference.

"This proposal has been submitted by Qatar to Hamas... This new proposal has three stages," he continued.

Biden explained that the first phase would last for six weeks and included a temporary ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the entire region of Gaza's population, as well as the release of a number of hostages from both sides.

Then the second stage, said Biden, is negotiations to end all hostilities in the conflict permanently, and could include the release of all remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza if Israel's security guarantees are met.

While the third stage is the start of a massive reconstruction plan in Gaza, said Biden, which will also include assistance from international partners to implement it.

The US, Egypt, and Qatar are expected to play a key role in efforts to keep this initiative alive.