three-phase ceasefire proposal?

A three-phase ceasefire proposal that would end the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been accepted by the UN Security Council.

Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favour of the US-drafted resolution, with only Russia abstaining.

The ceasefire proposal urges both parties to fully implement the terms of the resolution “without delay and without condition.”

But what do those phases entail and what have both Israel and Hamas said about the plan since its adoption?

First phase

US President Joe Biden outlined the proposal’s three phases during an address at the White House on 31 May.

The first phase would be a “full and complete ceasefire” lasting six weeks that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all densely populated areas of Gaza.

During this time, Hamas would release an unspecified number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Humanitarian assistance would be allowed to flow freely, with 600 trucks being allowed into Gaza each day as Palestinian civilians return to their homes and neighbourhoods.

Mr Biden said Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent end to the fighting while this ceasefire was in place. If the negotiations were to take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire would continue for as long as it takes to strike a deal, he added.

Second phase

Mr Biden described this as a “permanent end to hostilities”.

It would include the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages, including male soldiers, and Israel would withdraw all its forces from Gaza.

The president admitted there were “a number of details to negotiate to move from phase one to phase two”.

Third phase

The final phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.

Any final remains of hostages kill would be returned to their families.

What has Israel said?

Israel’s government has always maintained its objective in the Gaza offensive is to annihilate Hamas in response to the 7 October attacks.

Israel’s representative to the UN, senior diplomat Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, emphasized at the UN Security Council meeting that her country wants to “ensure that Gaza doesn’t pose a threat to Israel in the future.”

Israel Hamas: She said would not end until all hostages returned and Hamas’ capabilities were “dismantled,” accusing the Palestinian militant group of using and endless negotiations which can be exploited by Hamas means to stall for time.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believes there is a “strong consensus” among Israeli leaders to move forward the Gaza ceasefire planWhat has Hamas said?

Hamas welcomed the adoption of the UN resolution quickly.

One of its officials, Sami Abu Zuhri, later told Reuters it had accepted the deal and was ready to negotiate the details.

He said the militant group had accepted the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the swap of hostages for detainees held by Israel.

But he said it was up to the US to ensure Israel abides by the plan.

“The US administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution,” Abu Zuhri said.

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