Netanyahu rejects Biden’s ceasefire proposal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas is “destroyed.”

This declaration comes in response to a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden a day ago, which outlines a three-stage plan aimed at de-escalating the conflict.

President Biden’s proposal included an initial six-week phase in which Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. It also involved a prisoner exchange, releasing several hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

However, Netanyahu has rejected the idea of a permanent ceasefire before the complete dismantling of Hamas’s military and governmental infrastructure. In a statement issued on Saturday, he emphasised that Israel’s conditions for ending the war remain steadfast.

“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu stated.

He described the commitment to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are met as a “non-starter.”

A senior US administration official confirmed that the four-and-a-half-page proposal had been endorsed by the Israeli government and presented to Hamas on Friday. Despite Hamas’s positive response, Netanyahu’s firm stance suggests a significant obstacle to the proposed roadmap’s implementation.

(With inputs from agencies)