Sullivan Calls for Hamas to Accept Israel's Conditions for Ceasefire and Release of Hostages

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, on Sunday urged Hamas to accept the conditions proposed by Israel for establishing a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In an interview with CBS News, Sullivan stated, "The most effective, reliable, and correct way, by a significant margin, to return the hostages is to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire agreement and [release] the hostages, which the President of the United States announced a few days ago, and Israel has accepted. We are now waiting for Hamas's response to it." He added, "If Hamas agrees to that agreement, a ceasefire will be established, the hostages will return home, more humanitarian aid will flow [to Gaza], and a better life will begin for the Palestinians." Sullivan's remarks come a day after the successful operation by the Israeli army to rescue four Israeli hostages. He noted that Hamas has not yet given an official response to this agreement. President Joe Biden announced on Friday, June 1, a new multi-phase proposal from Israel to end the war in Gaza, stating that if this agreement is successful, "Israel could become part of a regional security network to counter threats from Iran." Biden explained that the new proposal consists of three phases, with the first phase lasting six weeks, during which a complete ceasefire will be established, Israeli soldiers will withdraw from all inhabited areas in Gaza, and a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, and injured Israelis, will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. He added that the bodies of some deceased hostages will also be returned to their families in this phase. Biden further stated that during these six weeks, Israel and Hamas, with the help of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, will negotiate the necessary arrangements for entering the second phase and achieving a permanent end to hostilities. According to the proposed plan, in the second phase, all living Israeli hostages will be released, and the Israeli army will withdraw from the entire Gaza Strip. Regarding the third and final phase of the proposed Israeli plan, Biden mentioned that reconstruction of Gaza will begin, and the bodies of the remaining deceased Israeli hostages will be returned to their families. Global support for Biden's plan: Leaders of 17 countries around the world on Thursday, June 17, issued a joint statement expressing their full support for the plan announced by President Joe Biden for establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. They expressed serious concern over the continued captivity of several of their citizens by Hamas and emphasized that there is no time to lose, urging the group backed by the Islamic Republic to accept Biden's plan, "which Israel is ready to advance," and to "begin the process of freeing our citizens." According to the statement, Biden's plan will lead to an immediate ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza, providing security guarantees for both Israelis and Palestinians and creating more opportunities for long-term peace and a two-state solution. The leaders of the 17 countries signing this statement further called on the leaders of Israel and Hamas to carry out "any final compromise" to sign the agreement and reassure the families of the hostages as well as both sides in the conflict, especially civilians. Leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Thailand emphasized at the end of their statement: "The time to end the war has come, and this plan is a necessary starting point." Earlier, the European Union on Tuesday, June 16, issued a statement expressing its "full support" for the roadmap presented by the U.S. President, stating that this plan will lead to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and increased humanitarian aid. The EU expressed regret over the deaths of civilians in the Gaza war, noting: "The unconditional and immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, as well as the increase in humanitarian aid needed by the people of Gaza, requires a sustainable ceasefire, and the U.S. President's plan can guarantee peace and stability in the Middle East for the benefit of both nations and the region as a whole and globally." The EU also appreciated the ongoing efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar in facilitating negotiations to end the war between Israel and Hamas while ensuring Israel's security, urging both sides to accept this three-phase proposal and participate in reviving a political process for lasting peace based on a two-state solution. During the terrorist attack on October 7, Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, and took 253 others hostage to the Gaza Strip. Currently, more than 100 hostages remain in the hands of Palestinian militants, although Israel believes that more than a third of the remaining hostages in Gaza have been killed. Previously, Israel has repeatedly stated that it will continue the battle in Gaza until the complete destruction of Hamas. Hamas has repeatedly opposed ceasefire proposals and the release of hostages. This group is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. Kamala Harris: We are happy about the rescue of the hostages and mourn the innocents who have lost their lives. The U.S. Central Command: Humanitarian aid flow to Gaza has resumed. Thousands of Palestinian supporter protesters gathered in Washington; criticizing the White House's policies regarding Israel's military operations. Netanyahu after the rescue of 4 Israeli hostages in Gaza: We will not surrender to terrorism. Successful operation by the Israeli army; four live hostages rescued from Hamas captivity. The U.S. Secretary of State is heading to the Middle East to follow up on Biden's ceasefire plan and persuade Hamas and Israel. Russia and China do not agree with the U.S. proposed resolution at the UN for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Speaker of the House of Representatives confirmed: Netanyahu will speak in the U.S. Congress on July 24. Hamas's resistance to accepting a ceasefire and the release of hostages; the United States is awaiting a definitive response. Mediation efforts in Doha for a ceasefire in Gaza continue.