The leadership of the United States Congress invited Benjamin Netanyahu to give a speech before both legislative chambers. The objective of this is for the Prime Minister of Israel to present his vision on the defense of democracy and the fight against terrorism.
In a letter dated this Friday, Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives asked Netanyahu to intervene in Congress to share the Israeli government’s perspective on how to “establish a just and lasting peace in the region,” Efe noted.
The lawmakers expressed solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism, and highlighted the plight of American and Israeli citizens held captive by Hamas.
The letter was signed by the president of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson; the leader of the Democratic majority of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, as well as the Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, leader of his caucus in the Lower House, and the Republican Mitch McConnell, leader of the party in the Senate.
Although the exact date of Benjamin Netanyahu’s future speech was not determined, it is expected to be scheduled soon.
This bipartisan invitation comes amid criticism of Joe Biden’s administration for its unconditional support for Israel.
This week, the US government reaffirmed its commitment to the “defense” of Israel following an attack by the Israeli Defense Forces on a displaced persons camp in Rafah last Sunday.
The attack, which caused the death of dozens of Palestinians, was carried out with bombs manufactured in the United States, according to several media outlets.
A tent camp in Rafah, located in the south of the Gaza Strip, was affected. In the Palestinian enclave, the conflict has left around 36,000 dead, more than 70% of them civilians, since the offensive began more than seven and a half months ago.
Israel proposed a new agreement to Hamas
Meanwhile, the State of Israel presented a new proposal to Hamas for a lasting ceasefire in the offensive on the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of all the hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group, as announced this Friday by the President of the United States. United, Joe Biden.
“Following intense diplomatic activity by my team, in conversations with leaders of Israel, Qatar, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, Israel has offered a new comprehensive proposal for a lasting ceasefire and the release of all hostages,” he declared. the president in the White House.
The proposal, transmitted to the terrorist group through Qatari mediation, consists of three phases.
In the first, a complete six-week ceasefire is proposed, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all populated areas of the strip and the release of several hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
During these six weeks, Israel and Hamas should negotiate the details of the second phase, which would involve the permanent end of hostilities, the release of the rest of the hostages, including soldiers, and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli Army from the strip.
Biden stressed that this second stage would require very intense negotiations, during which “the ceasefire will remain in force as long as the talks are held.”
The third and final phase includes a “major reconstruction plan” of the Palestinian enclave and the return of the bodies of the murdered hostages.
“This is the offer that is now on the table. “It is what we have been asking for and what is needed,” said Biden, in an appearance focused on the situation in the Middle East.
A US administration source, in a subsequent call with journalists, stressed that the new plan