Israel will fully withdraw from Gaza in the second phase of the ongoing hostage deal, Vice President Kamala Harris announced in a press briefing following her meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday afternoon.
“To everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you, and I hear you,” Harris remarked, reflecting Washington's optimism about potentially securing the release of the remaining 115 hostages. She highlighted the promising progress in negotiations, referencing the three-phase proposal outlined by President Joe Biden on May 31.
“The first phase will establish a full ceasefire and involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s population centers,” Harris explained. “In the second phase, the Israeli military will completely exit Gaza, leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities. It’s time to end this war in a way that ensures Israel’s security, releases all hostages, alleviates Palestinian suffering, and grants the Palestinian people their rights to freedom, dignity, and self-determination,” she added.
“Let’s finalize this deal, achieve a ceasefire, bring the hostages home, and deliver the necessary relief to the Palestinian people.”
* The Jerusalem Post contributed to this article.