Brazil and 16 countries ask Hamas to accept ceasefire proposal

Brazil, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 16 other countries asked Hamas to accept Israel’s proposal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza. The condition was presented on May 31 by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

The agreement would lead to the rehabilitation of Gaza, “along with security guarantees for Israel and opportunities for a more durable, long-term peace and a 2-State solution”second to joint letter (read the full text below). “It is time for the war to end and this agreement is the necessary starting point”they said.

“As leaders of countries deeply concerned about the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including many of our own citizens, we fully support the movement toward a ceasefire and hostage release agreement now on the table and as outlined by the president Biden on May 31, 2024. There is no time to waste”the countries declared.

Itamaraty also stated that Israel and the extremist group are obliged, as determined by the International Court of Justice, “to cease hostilities in Rafah, to unconditionally and immediately release the hostages and to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza affected by the conflict”.

The declaration was signed by leaders from Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Biden’s proposed ceasefire plan

The plan has 3 main phases:

• the 1st stage of the plan establishes a truce for 6 weeks. At this time, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces, in Portuguese) would withdraw from the populated areas of Gaza. The period would also include the release of hostages on both sides;
• the 2nd phase would see the definitive end of the conflict. For this to happen, the Israeli military would completely leave the Gaza Strip;
• The 3rd and final part of the plan focuses on starting the project to rebuild Gaza, in addition to helping Palestinians living in the territory.

The Democrat also said that the terms were proposed by the Israeli government and discussed between mediating countries, such as Egypt and Qatar.

On the same day, Hamas said it approved the proposal. “We welcome what was included in President Joe Biden’s speech, which called for a permanent ceasefire”, the group stated on Telegram. However, negotiations did not progress.

Conflict between Israel and Hamas

Hamas, which controls Gaza, began the conflict by attacking Israeli territory on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israel.

About half of the hostages were released in the November truce. Government counts indicate that 120 remain in captivity and 43 have been declared dead.

Israel’s military assault on Gaza killed more than 36,000 people, according to health authorities in the territory, who say thousands of dead are buried under the rubble.

Read the full letter:

“As leaders of countries deeply concerned about the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including many of our own citizens, we fully support the movement toward a ceasefire and hostage release agreement now on the table and as outlined by the President Biden on May 31, 2024. There is no time to waste. We call on Hamas to close this deal, that Israel is ready to move forward, and begin the process of freeing our citizens.

We note that this agreement would lead to an immediate ceasefire and rehabilitation of Gaza, along with security guarantees for Israel and opportunities for a more durable, long-term peace and two-state solution. At this decisive moment, we call on the leaders of Israel, as well as Hamas, to make all the final commitments necessary to close this deal and bring relief to the families of our hostages, as well as the people on both sides of this terrible conflict, including the civilian populations. It is time for the war to end and this agreement is the necessary starting point.”