President Joe Biden accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “prolonging the war for his own political reasons.”
Biden laid out the accusations during an interview with TIME, saying, “There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.”
Asked if Israeli forces have committed war crimes with its operation against Hamas in Gaza, Biden said,
Biden said last week that Israel made a proposal to Hamas. According to him, “Israel has now offered a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire – and the release of all the hostages. Yesterday, this proposal was transmitted by Qatar to Hamas. Today, I want to lay out its terms for the world.”
Outlining what Israel reportedly proposed, Biden shared a graphic on X that grouped Israel’s purported proposal into three phases. Phase one includes a complete ceasefire, release of some hostages and some remains of hostages, withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, a surge in humanitarian aid and letting Palestinian civilians return to their homes in Gaza.
Phase two of the supposed proposal includes a permanent end to hostilities between the two parties at war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and exchange for the release of remaining living hostages.
Phase three includes the returns of the final remains of hostages and major reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Israel has now offered a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire – and the release of all the hostages.
Yesterday, this proposal was transmitted by Qatar to Hamas.
Today, I want to lay out its terms for the world. pic.twitter.com/0cdypBP9wb
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 31, 2024
The graphic posted by Biden was debunked by Biden, as he clarified that Israel’s proposal allowed the Jewish nation to “continue the war until all its objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.”
The Israeli leader issued a second statement countering Biden’s claims further and making it clear that “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed.”
“The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” he stated, listing the conditions under which Israel would agree with the notion of ending the war.
“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter,” Netanyahu added.
