U.S. President Joe Biden called for an immediate end to the Israel-Gaza conflict on Thursday, emphasizing that Israel should not occupy Gaza following the war.
He mentioned that his ceasefire framework has been agreed upon by both Israel and Hamas, though some details still need to be finalized.
“That framework is now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas. So, I sent my team to the region to hammer out the details,” Biden stated during a news conference.
In late May, Biden proposed a three-phase plan aimed at achieving a ceasefire, releasing hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, facilitating Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and rebuilding the coastal enclave.
CIA Director Bill Burns and U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk were in the Middle East this week, engaging with regional counterparts to discuss the ceasefire agreement.
“These are difficult, complex issues. There are still gaps to close. We’re making progress. The trend is positive. I’m determined to get this deal done and bring an end to this war, which should end now,” Biden added.
Hamas has agreed to a crucial part of the U.S. plan, dropping its demand for Israel to commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that any deal must not prevent Israel from resuming military actions until its war objectives are met. At the start of the conflict, he vowed to destroy Hamas.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Wednesday that he is committed to securing a Gaza ceasefire deal as long as Israel’s key conditions are met.
According to Reuters, Biden also remarked that Israel must not occupy Gaza and critiqued Israel’s war cabinet, noting that “Israel occasionally was less than cooperative.”
Biden expressed disappointment that some of his initiatives, such as the U.S. military’s humanitarian pier off the coast of Gaza, had not been as successful as hoped. “I was hopeful that would be more successful,” he commented.
