“The war will be stopped in order to return the kidnapped ones and then we will discuss.” This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently discussing the United States proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza with members of his government. The agreement proposed by Washington “includes a temporary ceasefire for the release of the hostages”, but the scheme presented by Biden – Netanyahu specified while speaking to the Israeli media – “is partial because there are other details that have not been published”. In the morning, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry revealed that “Hamas has positively welcomed the proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza”, adding that now all that remains is to wait for what “Israel’s response” will be.
Hamas’s positive response
During a press conference with his Spanish counterpart, Shoukry said that “the proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an exchange of prisoners and detainees must be accepted”, because the military operations of the Tel Aviv army in the enclave Palestinian “exposes the region to chaos.” In this regard, the Egyptian minister said he appreciated «Spain’s position in favor of the Palestinian cause, especially after the recognition of the State of Palestine» and invited all countries to «respect the rules of international law, respect the decisions of the International Court of Justice and preserve the system of international multilateral action”. The ultimate goal, Shoukry concluded, remains the two-people, two-state solution.
What does the US proposal include?
The mediation proposal between Israel and Hamas, unveiled in recent days by American President Joe Biden, represents one of the most concrete attempts launched so far to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. “We support this effort with great conviction,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani commented today. The plan presented by the US government includes three phases. The first would last six weeks and would include “a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza”, the release of some hostages and the release of hundreds of people, including Palestinian prisoners and American hostages. In this first phase, civilians will be able to return to their homes in all areas of Gaza, while around 600 trucks could enter the Strip every day to deliver humanitarian aid. The second phase should include the release of all living hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Finally, the third phase: the conclusion of hostilities and the reconstruction plan, with the delivery of the bodies and remains of all the hostages killed.
Israel’s plans for an alternative government to Hamas
Now that the US proposal, according to the words of the Egyptian Foreign Minister, has been welcomed positively by Hamas, all eyes are on Israel. Today, Monday 3 June, Netanyahu summoned Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the radical right opposed to the agreement with Hamas. Israel Hayom reported the meeting, citing sources from the prime minister’s office. In the past few hours, meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant telephoned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. «As part of any development process, Gallant underlined Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas as a governmental and military authority. In this regard, he discussed the issue of identifying and enabling the emergence of a local government alternative,” reads the statement released by his office.
On the cover: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a public event in Jerusalem, 13 May 2024 (ANSA/Gil Cohen-Magen)
