Israel has offered new peace deal to Hamas, says Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden on Friday said that Israel offered a comprehensive peace plan to Hamas that involved the return of Israeli hostages and the reconstruction of civilian areas in Gaza.

“It’s time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,” Biden said in a televised address from the White House, as per news agency AFP, adding that “we can’t lose this moment” to seize the chance for peace.

“Everyone who wants peace now must raise their voices and work to make it real. It’s time for this war to end,” Biden said.

He also urged leaders on both sides not to “lose this moment”.

According to President Biden, the first phase of the proposed peace plan would include a ceasefire for six weeks, during which Israel and Hamas leaders would negotiate to end the ongoing war that started after the October 7 attack last year.

If the negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire would continue for as long as it takes to strike a deal, he added.

Phase two of the peace process would involve Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

The final phase would be about a “major reconstruction plan”, he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Hamas also said that they were ready to reach a complete “peace agreement”, including a hostage exchange deal, if Israel stops its war against people in Gaza.

“Hamas and the Palestinian factions will not accept to be part of this policy by continuing (ceasefire) negotiations in light of the aggression, siege, starvation and genocide of our people”, the Hamas statement read.

More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said.

Israel launched its air and ground war after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.