The new Israeli road map proposed by American President Joe Biden has been welcomed by Hamas as a positive step towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. According to Biden, an agreement in Gaza is necessary to put an end to the devastating war in the region.
The first phase of the plan involves a total ceasefire with a withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas in Gaza for six weeks. The ceasefire would also involve the release of certain Israeli hostages taken during a Hamas attack in October and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. If Hamas fulfills its commitments, the ceasefire could become permanent, leading to lasting peace. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hopes that this development will lead to lasting peace, while European leaders have praised the proposal as a realistic way to end the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a desire to bring back hostages but reiterated that the war would not stop until all its objectives were achieved. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stated that a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza were non-negotiable demands.
However, despite these efforts, Israeli forces advanced into Rafah despite international objections about the impact on civilians. This move has resulted in many casualties and displaced residents, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region. Witnesses reported Israeli strikes on Rafah, where many residents have fled ongoing violence.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and an end to the suffering of civilians in Gaza with Biden’s roadmap representing a potential path towards peace if all parties involved commit to it.
