Biden unveils new Gaza truce proposal, Hamas responds positively

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, May 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages, saying "it's time for this war to end" and winning a positive initial reaction from Hamas.

The first phase involves a six-week ceasefire when Israeli forces would withdraw from "all populated areas" of Gaza, some hostages - including the elderly and women - would be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians would return and 600 trucks a day would bring humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave.

In the second phase, of indeterminate length, Hamas and Israel would negotiate terms of a permanent end to hostilities, with the ceasefire extending as long as talks continue. The third phase would include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.

"It's time for this war to end and for the day after to begin," said Biden, who is under election-year pressure to stop the Gaza conflict, now in its eighth month.

Hamas released a statement reacting positively to Biden's proposal, saying it was ready to engage "positively and in a constructive manner" with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of Gaza, a return of those displaced, and a "genuine" prisoner swap deal if Israel "clearly announces commitment to such deal".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had authorized his nego...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]