US President Joe Biden announced that Israel has proposed a "roadmap" to end its nearly eight-month-long war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Speaking from the White House on Friday, Biden outlined the three-stage plan, starting with a six-week phase involving Israeli forces' withdrawal from all populated areas of Gaza.

"Here's what it would include: a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners," Biden stated.

The announcement followed remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who acknowledged the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory. Biden urged Hamas to accept the ceasefire offer, emphasizing the need to seize the chance for peace: "It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin. We can't lose this moment."

Hamas Welcomes Biden's Speech

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas responded positively, stating it “views positively the contents of President Joe Biden's speech today, 31/05/2024, in which he called for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, and the exchange of prisoners.”

Hamas praised the American position and the growing international conviction of the necessity to end the war on Gaza, attributing it to the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance. They reaffirmed their readiness to engage constructively with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction, return of displaced persons, and a serious prisoner exchange deal, provided Israel commits explicitly to these terms.

‘Israel Using Truce Talks to Press Ahead with Aggression’

Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, accused Israel of prolonging ceasefire negotiations to continue its aggression against Gaza. He stated that Israel is "using negotiations as a cover to continue its aggression," and emphasized that resistance factions reject being part of such maneuvers.

Israel launched the war against Gaza in response to Al-Aqsa Storm, a retaliatory operation by Palestinian resistance movements, last October. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 36,224 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar have aimed at achieving a ceasefire agreement. In early May, Hamas agreed to a truce proposal to cease Israeli aggression and facilitate the release of captives.