Netanyahu: "Hamas Removal, New Gaza War Ceasefire Proposal Partially"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on the 1st (local time) that the removal of Hamas is part of the new ceasefire plan for the Gaza war unveiled by U.S. President Joe Biden.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a statement that day, Netanyahu said, according to AFP, "Israel's conditions for ending the war remain unchanged: the removal of Hamas' military and governing capabilities, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to Israel."

He added, "According to the new proposal, Israel will continue to insist that these conditions be met before a permanent ceasefire is achieved," and "there will be no agreement to a permanent ceasefire before that."

According to the ceasefire plan, in the first phase, the Israeli military will withdraw from all densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, and in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, some hostages such as women, the elderly, and the injured will be freed. Additionally, negotiations for a permanent ceasefire will proceed for six weeks, and even if the six weeks are exceeded, a temporary ceasefire will continue during ongoing talks. Upon reaching the second phase, all surviving hostages will be exchanged, and the Israeli military will withdraw entirely from the Gaza Strip. In the third phase, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the return of the bodies of deceased hostages will take place.

The Palestinian armed faction Hamas responded to this proposal by stating, "If the occupying force (Israel) clearly promises to uphold such an agreement, we are prepared to engage constructively and positively," indicating a willingness to enter negotiations for the time being.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office also confirmed in a statement that Netanyahu approved presenting the ceasefire plan to the Israeli negotiating team, but in an additional statement that day, it appeared to reiterate the existing position.

AFP reported that the Israeli military conducted an airstrike using tanks in the southernmost city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip on the morning of the same day, just hours after President Biden unveiled the new ceasefire plan.