Biden says Israel has agreed to ‘enduring’ Gaza ceasefire proposal
Al Jazeera
US president’s announcement comes as he faces widespread criticism over his Gaza policy in lead-up to November election.
Israel has agreed to a proposal that would lead to a “lasting” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden has announced, as he faces mounting pressure and criticism over his support for the Israeli war effort.
During a news conference at the White House on Friday afternoon, Biden said Israel has put forward “a comprehensive new proposal” to end the war.
“It’s a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire,” the United States president told reporters.
Biden said the proposal involves three phases, the first of which would last six weeks and include a full and complete ceasefire, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza.
The first phase would also see a number of captives held in the Gaza Strip – including women and the elderly – released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, while humanitarian aid would flow into Gaza.
