Israel’s war against Hamas must be ‘ended’, he reveals peace plan

US President Joe Biden said it was time to “end” Israel’s war against Hamas, announcing that the Middle Eastern country had offered the Palestinian terror group a new ceasefire agreement.

The agreement would include the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza who were kidnapped by Hamas in the deadly October 7 attack, as well as the reconstruction of civilian areas destroyed by the Israeli attack.

Mr Biden said leaders on both sides should “not miss this moment”.

In a statement late Friday, the terror group said it viewed the plan “positively.”

It states: “Hamas confirms its readiness to engage positively and constructively with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from the Gaza Strip, the reconstruction (of Gaza) and the return of the displaced to their places, as well as the implementation of a genuine prisoner exchange agreement, if the occupying power clearly declares its commitment to such an agreement.”

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said Hamas “must accept the new ceasefire agreement outlined by President Biden.”

Lord Cameron wrote on X: “With a new hostage agreement on the table, Hamas must accept this deal so that the fighting stops, the hostages can be released and returned to their families, and humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza.”

“We have long argued that a cessation of fighting can lead to lasting peace if we are all willing to take the right steps.

“Let us seize this moment and end this conflict.”

At the White House, he said: “Everyone who wants peace now must speak up and work to make it a reality. It is time to end this war.”

He added: “I know there are people in Israel who do not agree with this plan. And who will demand an indefinite continuation of the war. Some are even in the governing coalition. They have made it clear. They want to occupy Gaza. They want to keep fighting for years and hostages are not a priority for them.”

“Well, I have called on Israel’s leadership to stand behind this agreement despite the pressure that is being put on it.

“As someone who has been a lifelong advocate for Israel, as the only American president to ever travel to Israel in wartime, as someone who just sent U.S. forces to directly defend Israel when it was attacked by Iran, I ask you to step back and think about what will happen if this moment is lost.”

Biden said Hamas was “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel and called the proposed agreement “a defining moment.”

Biden said the Israeli-proposed agreement, which would begin with a six-week ceasefire that would allow negotiations on a lasting peace, was an opportunity for Hamas, which has said it wants a ceasefire, to prove “whether it really means it.”

Phase two of the proposed agreement would involve the handover of all remaining hostages by Hamas and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.

The final phase will involve a “major reconstruction plan,” said the President.

Israel began its war in the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack in which militants entered southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250.

Israel says about 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza and about 30 more are dead. Ceasefire talks stalled earlier this month after the US and other mediators made major efforts to reach an agreement to avert a planned Israeli invasion of the southern city of Rafah. A key sticking point has blocked the talks: Hamas is demanding guarantees of an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in return for the release of all hostages. Israel rejects this demand.