Biden says Israel will stop Gaza offensive during Ramadan; Hamas reviews ceasefire plan
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Israel has agreed to halt military operations in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The announcement comes as Hamas is reviewing a draft proposal for a ceasefire, which includes a pause in hostilities and a prisoner-hostage exchange.
The draft discussed during ceasefire talks in Paris suggests a 40-day cessation of military activities along with an exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one.
The proposed ceasefire is intended to facilitate immediate repairs of essential infrastructure such as hospitals and bakeries in Gaza and allow the daily entry of 500 aid trucks into the war-torn area.
With Ramadan expected to begin on the evening of March 10 and end on April 9, this pause in the fighting could provide much-needed relief and humanitarian relief to Gaza’s citizens.
As negotiations continue for a framework deal brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, President Biden has expressed hope that a ceasefire could be implemented as early as next week.
“Ramadan is coming, and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they will not engage in activities, even during Ramadan, to give us time to get all the hostages out,” Biden commented during an appearance on NBC.late night with seth meyers,
Despite efforts for a ceasefire, Biden has not advocated a complete end to the war, which erupted after Hamas’ deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and about 250 others. People are being held hostage.
Showing unwavering support for Israel, Biden acknowledged the possibility of an Israeli ground attack on Rafah, the southern Gaza city bordering Egypt, where a significant portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is seeking refuge.
Possible attack on Rafah has raised international concerns regarding the welfare of civilians trapped in the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the ground operation in Rafah is a key aspect of Israel’s strategy to eliminate Hamas.
However, Biden said Israel has committed to facilitating evacuations in Rafah before proceeding with further military action against Hamas.
The conflict has killed more than 29,700 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants in its casualty reports.
The war has displaced 80 percent of Gaza’s population, destroyed vast urban areas and created a humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations warning of impending famine.
A previous agreement in late November that released about 100 hostages in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held by Israel was the only agreement reached so far in the conflict. An estimated 130 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel claiming about a quarter of them have died.
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)