Biden said a plan for a deal on Gaza is being worked out by his administration
The plan for a deal on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas was developed and agreed upon by US President Joe Biden's team. The current U.S. leader made this statement on January 16 during his farewell address to the nation.
"This plan was developed and agreed upon by my team and will be largely implemented by the new administration," Biden said, the address was broadcast on the White House YouTube channel.
According to the president, this plan will be largely implemented by the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza between the Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel became known on January 15. The first phase, which will last 42 days, will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip under the agreement will take place for at least several weeks. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press office noted that the Israeli army is preparing to receive the freed hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation separately with Trump and Biden, during which he thanked them for their help in reaching a deal on Gaza. Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, for his part , called the agreement "the right and necessary step." According to him, the Israeli authorities will seek the return of all prisoners.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also supported the deal and expressed readiness to assist in its implementation. He also emphasized that the UN is "unwavering in its commitment" to peace and stability in the region, and will do everything it can to ensure that civilians are supported.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.