U.S. President Joe Biden has presented a ceasefire proposal for the war in Gaza, which has persisted for over eight months and resulted in the deaths of more than 37,000 Palestinians.
The proposed three-phase ceasefire plan aims to de-escalate hostilities and address humanitarian needs. Initially, a six-week ceasefire would involve Israeli troop withdrawals, the release of hostages and prisoners, and increased aid to Gaza. Subsequent negotiations, backed by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, would seek to establish a permanent ceasefire. The second phase would see Hamas releasing all hostages, Israel’s full withdrawal, and the establishment of enduring peace. The final phase involves comprehensive reconstruction in Gaza and the return of remains.
Despite the proposal’s alignment with prior suggestions from Hamas, its timing and presentation have raised concerns about its genuineness and the political motives behind it, particularly considering the approaching U.S. elections.
Biden’s Cunning Move
Washington continues to hold Hamas responsible for the absence of a ceasefire, with statements from officials like Matthew Miller emphasising that Hamas is the main obstacle to peace. Meanwhile, President Biden is strategically pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire by framing the plan as an Israeli initiative.
This portrayal aims to counter Netanyahu’s usual stance of continuing military operations until all objectives are met and the threat from Hamas is neutralised. By asserting that Hamas can no longer mount significant attacks like those on October7, Biden suggests that Israel has effectively achieved its goals, removing any grounds for rejecting a ceasefire. This tactic seeks to weaken Netanyahu’s position and limit his ability to oppose the proposal.
Additionally, despite resistance from some Israeli factions, Biden’s proposal provides Netanyahu with a diplomatic way out of the ongoing conflict, potentially satisfying various political groups within Israel without compromising his standing with his base.
Hamas’s Positive Response Irked Netanyahu
Shortly after Biden publicly declared the proposal, Hamas expressed its approval through informal remarks and an official statement released via Egypt.
This circumstance posed a challenge for Netanyahu, accustomed to blaming Hamas for obstructing reconciliation and exiting negotiations under the pretext of Hamas’s opposition to bilateral compromises, to pull the same stunt this time. Indeed, Dimitri Diliani, a member of the Revolutionary Council in the Fatah movement, confirmed this by saying: “Tel Aviv initially approved Biden’s initiative at the end of April. Hamas approved the initiative several days later. But Netanyahu walked back his support for political reasons—mainly because he had anticipated Hamas would reject the deal.”
Hamas responded positively to Biden’s latest proposal, leading to mixed reactions in Israel. Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor, Ophir Falk, announced that Netanyahu agreed to the proposal shortly after Biden’s announcement. However, Netanyahu publicly expressed reservations, indicating partial support at best. Despite Biden’s assertion that no obstacles remain for a ceasefire, Israeli officials maintain their original war aims must be met, including the dismantlement of Hamas’s military capabilities, before considering a permanent ceasefire. This situation has resulted in ongoing ambiguity about the ceasefire’s viability, with Netanyahu stating that a permanent truce is out of the question until Israel’s stringent conditions are fulfilled.
Will the Ceasefire Proposal Transcend Personal Agendas?
It is now evident that Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu are both responsible for the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Peace, human rights, or compassion for civilians fare very low in both men’s agendas. In fact, their moves are primarily motivated by their ambition to safeguard their political future.
In a recent initiative, President Biden repurposed a ceasefire proposal originally from Hamas despite the group’s classification as an enemy. This manoeuvre reflects his limited options to resolve the Gaza conflict, which could impact his position in the upcoming November elections. This strategy also aims to slightly make a U-turn on the previous blank cheque he gave to Netanyahu’s genocidal onslaught on Gaza.
Despite ongoing intense fighting and Israel’s indiscriminate, disproportionate and overly aggressive military tactics, Gaza’s resistance remains formidable, supported by growing regional and international solidarity. Moreover, global reactions, including unexpected support from Western countries for decisions by international judicial bodies against Israeli leaders, indicate shifting perspectives. Biden’s urgent push for a ceasefire is further driven by decreasing support from Muslim Americans and the looming possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the political arena. While Biden’s proposal does not include a clause for a Palestinian state, it aims to rekindle the Israel-Saudi normalisation talks, enhancing his electoral campaign by undermining Trump’s similar claims.
However, the response in Israel is mixed, with Netanyahu finding himself more pressured than expected. Tensions within his government escalated as right-wing ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich opposed any ceasefire, advocating continued warfare. In contrast, centrists like Benny Gantz and opposition figures like Yair Lapid pushed for an end to hostilities and Netanyahu’s leadership. Netanyahu fears a potential coalition between his rivals, especially after Gantz’s dramatic resignation, which might position him as a strong contender. Biden’s outreach in his speech, aimed more at the Israeli public than its government, underscores Netanyahu’s precarious situation.
President Biden’s presentation of a ceasefire proposal, viewed as a reiteration of earlier initiatives under the guise of an American victory, is perceived by some as a political strategy to secure his position rather than a true pursuit of peace. As Biden faces limited options to address the crisis in Gaza, his readiness to potentially compromise Netanyahu’s leadership is becoming increasingly relevant. With shifting dynamics in Israeli politics signalling a growing discontent with Netanyahu’s delay tactics, new political alignments may soon emerge. The adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) supporting the ceasefire proposal further restricts Netanyahu’s choices.