Arab Foreign Ministers Endorse Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt said in a joint statement today, following a virtual meeting, that it was important to “deal seriously and positively” with the three-phase ceasefire proposal outlined by President Biden on Friday.

• US State Deparment spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters moments ago: "The only thing standing in the way of an immediate ceasefire today is Hamas."
• On whether Israel will sign off on the proposal following mixed messages from government officials, Miller says: "We are completely confident. It was an Israeli proposal... It was submitted to Hamas on Thurday night. We have yet to hear a response..."
• Barak Ravid at Axios reporting that Israel and Hamas are struggling to resolve technical issues with moving from phase 1 (temporary ceasefire) to phase 2 (permanent ceasefire) of the proposal.
• Ravid notes that the proposal appears unclear if phase 1 will continue indefinitely, if negotiations are ongoing on implementing phase 2, or if a set time should be established for the completion of negotiations.
• White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters a short time ago: “If Hamas accepts Gaza proposal and we can begin phase one, first batch of hostages would be released, and Israel would withdraw military from population centers."