World leaders urge Israel, Hamas to agree to new cease-fire plan

Negotiations would start over the second phase for a permanent end to fighting and full Israeli withdrawal, along with the release of all remaining hostages, while phase three would focus on reconstruction and the establishment of a non-Hamas Palestinian government.

Both Israel and Hamas have signaled some openness to an agreement, even as uncertainty remains over whether a deal can be reached in practice, and in particular on achieving permanent stop to the fighting.

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government was “united in its desire to return the hostages as soon as possible” and its proposal “would also enable Israel to continue the war until all its objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.”

However in a follow-up statement on Saturday, it emphasized that Israel would not “agree to a permanent ceasefire” until its goals were achieved and “Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” adding that any suggestions otherwise were “a non-starter.”

Meanwhile, Hamas said late Friday it “views positively what was included in U.S. President Biden’s speech.” In a message posted on Telegram, the militant group confirmed its “readiness to deal positively and constructively with any proposal based on a permanent cease-fire” if Israel also announces its “explicit commitment” to the deal.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the cease-fire proposal “would facilitate a surge of humanitarian assistance, allow displaced Palestinians to return to their neighborhoods, and begin the reconstruction of Gaza,” according to a message on social media platform X from spokesman Matthew Miller, adding that Blinken “emphasized that Hamas should accept the deal.”

The Saudi foreign minister discussed the deal with Blinken and “expressed the Kingdom’s support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire,” according to a readout of their call.

Several world leaders also expressed their support for the proposal. “We have witnessed too much suffering & destruction in Gaza. It’s time to stop,” U.N. Secretary General António Guterres wrote on X, adding that he encouraged “all parties to seize this opportunity for a cease-fire”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron separately urged the warring parties to “seize” the opportunity to end the war, while Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on social media that the proposal “provides a glimpse of hope and a possible path out of the war’s deadlock” and said it “is now up to Hamas to prove their commitment to ending the conflict.”

Indonesia’s president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, said his country is willing to send “significant peacekeeping forces to maintain and monitor this prospective ceasefire,” Reuters news agency reported. He added that Indonesia is also ready to “to evacuate, to receive and to treat with medical care up to 1,000 patients” from Gaza.

Israeli Minister Benny Gantz criticized France’s decision to ban Israeli companies from a French arms fair next month, saying that the move “ultimately rewards terror.” According to a statement from his office Friday, Gantz urged French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to reconsider the decision, which the event’s organizer said was taken by “government authorities.” “Conditions are no longer met to host Israeli companies at the show at a time when the President is calling for Israel to cease operations in Rafah,” France’s Defense Ministry told Reuters news agency.

Top congressional leaders announced Friday that they had invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress. The invitation, signed by top Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, expresses solidarity with Israel and mentions the “existential challenges” posed by Iran, Russia and China. “We invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region,” the letter says.

After an operation lasting nearly three weeks, Israeli forces said Friday that they have “completed their mission” in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza — five months after the military declared victory in the same area. Returning residents described the camp’s “complete destruction” after the 20-day operation. The Israel Defense Forces said its troops killed “hundreds” of militants, destroyed about six miles of underground tunnels and recovered the bodies of seven hostages in the densely built-up area.

At least 36,379 people have been killed and 82,407 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and says 293 soldiers have been killed since the launch of its military operation in Gaza.