Despite the “gaps” it contains Joe Biden’s proposalas the Israeli media comments, it offers an alternative solution to the “eternal war” in Gauze.
The moment and manner in which the proposal was presented constitute a clear indication of the White House’s desire to end the war.
Therefore, according to haaretz, if the Hamas leadership agrees, it is possible that the rest of the leaders will do the same.
A pressure lever -now- is also the internal pressure that the Israeli prime minister receives, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Most important political declaration to end the war
The plan presented by US President Joe Biden on Friday includes several challenges for Israel and Hamas, but it is the most important political declaration to end the war since it began on October 7th.
The content of the three-phase ceasefire agreement raises questions about its applicability and ambiguities surrounding some parts of it.
Biden presented the agreement personally and directly from the White House, addressing the Israeli and Palestinian public, including their leaders and the international community.
The critical questions for Gaza’s “day after”
Netanyahu did not present the agreement in any of his interviews, nor did he publicize it through documents or messages to the media. In his speech, Biden conveyed the message that both he and the United States guarantee that the agreement will be implemented.
Unlike previous cases, the first reactions to the agreement in Palestinian circles were positive.
Hamas has officially announced that it is reviewing its content, saying that the business is a great opportunity.
The group was surprised by Biden’s timing and how the deal was presented, but less surprised by its content.
Most of Hamas’ demands are met by the agreement.
Biden also referred to the demand for the organization of a permanent ceasefire, the entry of hundreds of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip, the international community’s commitment to the immediate creation of prefabricated homes for displaced Palestinians and their return to all parts of Gaza – a request in which Israel had previously contested.
On the other side, Biden did not specify the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel who would be released, but it appears that these have already been agreed in previous rounds of negotiations and that differences between the parties will not lead to an impasse.
However, as far as Hamas is concerned, an Israeli veto on the release of Palestinian prisoners, the majority of whom are high-ranking, would undermine the agreement.
Biden also noted the expected IDF withdrawal from Gaza.
The framework of the agreement does not contain a clear commitment on the part of Israel not to attack again and does not detail guarantees for the security of Hamas leaders.
The organization’s leadership, and especially its members in Gaza, will have to decide whether to reject the agreement due to their personal interests.
If Hamas leaders in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, agree to the content of the agreement, the rest of the group’s leaders will do the same.
The implementation of the agreement, however, will not be seen as a victory for the Palestinians.
One cannot use the term “victory” when recognizing the massive destruction across the Gaza Strip and the tens of thousands of deaths in the last eight months.
If the war ends within a week or two and Sinwar comes out of hiding, it is it is doubtful that the Palestinians will consider him a winner.
Sinwar and other group leaders will have to give answers about post-war Gaza.
If Hamas and Israel agree to a ceasefire agreement and are willing to face the many challenges to end the war, this moment could serve as an opportunity for a broader roadmap under the auspices of the international community.