President Biden on Friday outlined a roadmap put forward by Israel that would begin with an immediate temporary ceasefire and work toward a permanent end to the war and the reconstruction of Gaza.
These are some of the details, as outlined by Biden, a senior U.S. administration official who briefed reporters after the president spoke and to Israeli officials who discussed the potential deal.
First phase
Both sides would observe a six-week ceasefire. Israel would withdraw from Gaza’s main population centers and several hostages would be freed, including women, the elderly and the wounded. The hostages would be exchanged for the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Aid would begin arriving in Gaza, reaching about 600 trucks per day. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians would also be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Most Palestinians fled the north following Israel’s mass evacuation order before the ground invasion began.
During the first phase, Israel and Hamas would continue negotiating to reach a permanent ceasefire. If talks last more than six weeks, the first phase of the truce will continue until they reach an agreement, Biden said.
Second stage
With a permanent ceasefire, Israel would completely withdraw from Gaza. All remaining living Israeli hostages would be freed, including the male soldiers, and in return more Palestinian prisoners would be freed.
It was also unclear who would govern the territory under the agreement. Hamas could use a ceasefire to reconstitute its government in Gaza. In the past, the United States has said that the Palestinian Authority, which has had difficulty governing the West Bank, should be brought in to govern Gaza. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have generally rejected the Palestinian Authority or Hamas ruling Gaza.
Third phase
Hamas would return the remains of the hostages who had died. The debris would be cleared and a three- to five-year reconstruction period would begin, backed by the United States, Europe and international institutions.