European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed yesterday the "realistic" Israeli road map for Gaza ceasefire presented by US President Joe Biden. Von der Leyen believes that it offers a "real opportunity" to end the war, AFP reported, quoted by BTA.
"I fully agree with Biden that the latest proposal offers a real opportunity to move toward an end to the war and the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. This three-step approach is balanced and realistic. Now he needs the support of all countries", wrote the president of the EC on social networks.
The first phase involves a six-week ceasefire in which Israeli forces will withdraw from "all populated areas" of Gaza, some hostages - including elderly people and women - will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians will return and 600 trucks a day will deliver humanitarian aid to the devastated enclave. In the second phase, of indefinite duration, "Hamas" and Israel will agree on the terms of a final cessation of hostilities, with the cease-fire lasting as long as the negotiations last. The third phase will include a large-scale plan to rebuild Gaza, notes Reuters.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said last night in "X" that Hamas "must accept" the new ceasefire agreement.
"Hamas" released a statement responding positively to Biden's proposal and saying he was ready to engage "positively and in a constructive way" with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoration of Gaza, return of displaced persons and "real" a prisoner swap deal if Israel "clearly declares its commitment to such a deal".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had authorized his negotiating team to present the deal, "while insisting that the war will not end until all its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the destruction of Hamas' military and governmental potential.