Jerusalem [Israel], June 3: Pressure is growing on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following US President Joe Biden's proposal for an end to the war in Gaza.
President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden on Sunday for his efforts and said that he had assured Netanyahu and the government of his "full support for a deal that will lead to the release of the hostages."
"We must not forget that according to Jewish tradition, there is no greater commandment than redeeming captives and hostages - especially when it comes to Israeli citizens who the state of Israel was not able to defend," he said in an address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
"It is our inherent obligation to bring them home within the framework of a deal that preserves the security interests of the state of Israel," he added.
Biden presented details of a draft peace deal that foresees three phases of de-escalation, starting with a complete ceasefire for six weeks and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza. It sets out plans for the release of hostages and prisoners, Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
While Washington said that Israel had endorsed the plan, several far-right members of the Israeli government on Saturday threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition in case the deal is accepted.
Source: Qatar Tribune