Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal touted by President Joe Biden. The protests coincided with growing pressure to secure an agreement with Hamas to facilitate the release of hostages. Demonstrators carried signs with slogans such as “Biden save them from Netanyahu” and “Biden cares more about the hostages than Netanyahu.” There were reports of clashes with police, including the use of tear gas.
The ceasefire deal announced by Biden on Friday is structured in three phases. The first phase entails a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and the return of refugees to their homes. The commencement of humanitarian aid, with 600 trucks delivering daily supplies, is also part of this initial phase.
The second phase would focus on negotiating a permanent end to hostilities, ensuring the ceasefire remains in place as long as talks continue. This phase aims to secure the release of all hostages and provide a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, subject to Hamas accepting the terms.
The final phase involves extensive reconstruction efforts in Gaza, supported by the international community, to rebuild essential infrastructure and prevent Hamas from rearming.
President Biden emphasized the broader implications of the deal, such as potential normalization agreements between Israel and other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he highlighted efforts to integrate Israel into a regional security network, urging all parties to embrace this opportunity for lasting peace in order to avoid the consequences of an indefinite conflict.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, insisting that enduring conditions for ending the conflict must be met first. This stance contrasts sharply with Biden’s proposal, which according to Biden, originated from Israel.
Last month, families of the hostages released footage showing five female IDF soldiers captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel, with indications of sexual violence against the women. The hostages have been missing for 239 days.
On Friday, families of the remaining hostages accused the government of “sacrificing” their loved ones to continue the conflict in Gaza. Some have claimed that an aide informed them Netanyahu would not agree to a hostage release deal unless it benefited him politically. The war, as estimated by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, has already claimed over 35,000 lives, with approximately 52% of the casualties being Palestinian women and children.
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