Internet taunts Joe Biden as he is set to talk with Benjamin Netanyahu about Hamas ceasefire bid

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden will have a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, July 4, subsequent to Hamas' reaction to a cease-fire and hostage situation, Fox News reports. 

Israel announced on Wednesday, July 3, that it is investigating Hamas' proposal to release the 116 hostages who are still being held by the militant group following the attacks on October 7 that claimed the lives of almost 1,200 people.

Benjamin Netanyahu's next move may prove to be significant in ending the ongoing conflict

Netanyahu is scheduled to call a meeting of his security cabinet later today to discuss how to respond to Hamas' most recent stance. This meeting could be crucial to putting an end to the Israeli air and ground war that has devastated Gaza for the past nine months.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry which is controlled by Hamas, the number of casualties in the conflict has surpassed 38,000, with at least 87,445 still maimed.

The United States has mobilized international support for a plan that calls for the release of hostages currently detained by the militant group in exchange for an extended ceasefire and the evacuation of Israeli forces from Gaza. But as of right now, it doesn't seem like either side has accepted it completely.

The current deal is reported to be based on a resolution outlined by President Joe Biden 

The resolution that President Biden presented in May is reportedly the foundation of the current agreement. It calls for an initial six-week cease-fire, the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the evacuation of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas of the territory.

Phase two would see "a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza." 

Phase three would launch "a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families."

Hamas suggested 'amendments' to the proposal last month

Hamas offered vague "amendments" to the proposal in June, some of which the United States declared to be unfeasible. Without offering specifics, the group responded to Egypt and Qatar, who are mediating the discussions, again on Wednesday, July 3.

An American official stated that although the response was positive, more work still needed to be done and that the Biden administration was reviewing it. According to the political official for Hamas, Bassem Naim, the organization has "responded with some ideas to bridge the gap" between the two sides and has neither accepted nor rejected the American proposal.

Transition from the first to the second phase has appeared to be the main sticking point

The main source of contention, though, seems to be the change from the first to the second phase.

Hamas fears that Israel, maybe after putting forth irrational demands in the negotiations, will resume the war after the first phase. Israeli officials fear that Hamas will follow suit and prolong negotiations and the first cease-fire indefinitely without freeing the remaining prisoners.

According to a senior Israeli official cited by Israeli Channel 12, Hamas has dropped its demand that Israel completely withdraw from Gaza and end the conflict before it would even agree to the first phase of the agreement.

Hamas plan involves Israel withdrawing troops from the Rafah Crossing

Furthermore, as per the Hezbollah-affiliated daily Al-Akhbar, the Hamas plan calls for Israel to remove its troops from the Rafah Crossing area in accordance with Egypt without having to completely evacuate the strategically important Philadelphi Corridor.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been skeptical of the deal

Netanyahu has expressed skepticism towards the agreement, stating that Israel remains dedicated to eliminating Hamas.

"The war will end once Israel achieves all of its objectives, including the destruction of Hamas and the release of all of our hostages," Netanyahu said in a video statement given in Hebrew earlier this week. Netanyahu was slamming a New York Times report quoting senior Israeli officials who claim some military brass want a cease-fire with Hamas. 

The Times of Israel reports that in the last nine months, the IDF has freed seven hostages, recovered the bodies of 19, including three who were accidentally killed by IDF soldiers, and freed 109 hostages.

Internet demands sticking Joe Biden's proposal 'in the trash'

Netizens poked fun at the Biden administration as the US president is set to talk with Israel on latest Hamas cease-fire proposal. One X user wrote, "I think the leaders of the world should refuse to speak to a demented old man who is obviously not in charge." Another added, "Biden does he like your proposal? does Hamas? My understanding neither of them like it So stick that proposal in the trash and listen might be best course of action." 

"Nobody is listening to biden," said someone else while another remarked, "'Biden babbles to Netanyahu' There. Fixed the headline." "I hope for the sake of all Americans that his teleprompter works," one wrote of Biden and another said, "Between 10 AM and 4 PM with a nap break at 1." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.