Posted on 05/31/24
| News Source: Arutz-7
US President Joe Biden on Friday gave a speech on the situation in the Middle East.
According to Axios, Biden was expected to urge Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Biden began by briefly commenting on former President Donald Trump’s conviction in the hush money trial and said that he has the right to appeal his conviction, while also slamming Trump for claiming the trial was rigged.
On Gaza, he said he has been working intensively on a ceasefire and outlined the latest proposal put forward by Israel.
The first phase of the Israeli proposal will last six weeks with a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza.
During the six weeks of phase one, Israel and Hamas would negotiate to get to phase two, which is “a permanent end to hostilities” and an exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages. If negotiations on phase two take more than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as talks continue.
In phase three, Biden said, “there will be a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.”
“That offer is now on the table,” the President said, calling on Hamas to accept the deal.
He also urged Israel “not to lose the moment” by talking of “total victory” in the war.
“It’s time for this war to end for the day after to begin,” stated Biden.