U.S. President Joe Biden announced today that Israel has agreed to suspend military activities in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This development comes as Hamas carefully considers a draft proposal for a truce, which includes both a temporary cessation of hostilities and a prisoner-hostage exchange.
The draft proposal, described by a senior source close to the truce talks in Paris, outlines several key points:
- Humanitarian Relief: Hospitals and bakeries in Gaza will be repaired, and 500 aid trucks will be allowed to enter the battered enclave daily.
- Hostage Release: Israel will release 40 hostages currently held in Gaza.
- Prisoner Exchange: The exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages will occur at a ratio of 10 to one.
- Specific Criteria: Hamas will free 40 Israeli hostages, including women, children under 19, the elderly over 50, and the sick. In return, Israel will release approximately 400 Palestinian prisoners and commit not to re-arrest them.
Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of March 10th and end on the evening of April 9th. President Biden emphasized the significance of this agreement, stating, “Ramadan is coming up, and there’s been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan, as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out.”
Joe Biden Expresses Concern:
Biden also expressed concern about the high death count among Palestinians, warning that Israel risks losing international support. He highlighted Israel’s commitment to facilitate the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah in Gaza’s south before intensifying its campaign to dismantle Hamas.
The situation in Gaza has been tense since the conflict erupted in October last year. After Hamas killed 1,200 people and captured 253 hostages on October 7, Israel launched a ground assault on Gaza, resulting in nearly 30,000 confirmed deaths, according to Gaza health authorities.
Efforts by mediators to secure a ceasefire have intensified, with the hope of preventing further violence. The city of Rafah, where over a million displaced people are sheltering, remains a focal point in these negotiations.
President Biden aims to achieve a ceasefire by the following Monday, emphasizing the urgency of ending the violence. He believes that a temporary cessation of hostilities will pave the way for Palestinians to pursue their own state, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject a two-state solution.
As the world watches, the delicate balance between peace and conflict hangs in the balance during this sacred month of Ramadan.
