The first phase of the agreement outlined by President Biden, based on the Israeli proposal of May 27, includes a “full ceasefire” for six weeks, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the exchange of some hostages — including women, the elderly, and the sick or wounded — for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
The second phase includes the release of all other living hostages and a “permanent end to hostilities.” The third phase includes the start of a major plan to rebuild Gaza and return the remains of the slain hostages.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military operation in Gaza continues, with new evacuation orders issued for several blocks in northern Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, further shrinking the humanitarian area.
Israel said the blocs had become dangerous to civilians “due to massive acts of terror” and the firing of rockets and mortars toward Israel.
“Once again, fear is spreading as families have nowhere to go. People remain trapped in an endless nightmare of death and destruction on a staggering scale,” said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
What makes the need for a ceasefire even more urgent now is the fact that polio – which is spread through feces – is now spreading inside Israel’s designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from the fighting have taken refuge.
“Let us be clear: the ultimate vaccine against polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.