What to know about the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza

President Biden raised hopes last week when he approved a plan that he said could lead to a “permanent cessation of hostilities.” He said Israel has presented the plan, but neither Israel nor Hamas have said definitively whether they will accept or reject the proposal, and they appear to still be locked in disagreement on key issues.

Here’s a look at what is known about the ceasefire agreement, what key points still need to be negotiated, and the obstacles still to be addressed:

What’s in the plan?

In November, Israel and Hamas agreed to a week-long ceasefire. But the proposal now on the table – presented by Biden, a senior US administration official and Israeli officials – is more ambitious. Major questions remain unresolved, including whether Hamas will retain control of the Gaza Strip.

The proposal would develop in three phases.

In the first phase, among other things, Israel would withdraw from Gaza’s population centers during a six-week ceasefire, and dozens of women and elderly hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and its allies would be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. prisons.

During that period, negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would continue and, if successful, the agreement would enter phase two, with the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the enclave. All hostages and many other Palestinian prisoners would be released. In phase three, Hamas will return the bodies of the dead hostages and begin a reconstruction period lasting three to five years, with the support of the United States, European countries and international institutions.