Biden's Gaza proposal And Trump verdict response

May 31, 2024

In his May 31 White House appearance, Joe Biden first responds to the previous day's New York verdict against Donald Trump. He says a twelve-person state-court jury, selected with the defense's participation, unanimously found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts after five weeks of evidence. He emphasizes Trump's right to appeal, says nobody is above the law and condemns claims that the outcome was rigged as reckless, dangerous and irresponsible. Biden then presents what he describes as a new Israeli proposal transmitted by Qatar to Hamas. Its six-week first phase would include a complete ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from populated Gaza areas, release of women, elderly and wounded hostages, including Americans, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, return of some hostage remains, civilian return to homes, 600 aid trucks daily and temporary shelters. Israel and Hamas would negotiate the second phase during that period; Biden acknowledges unresolved details and says the ceasefire would continue while negotiations continued, with U.S., Egyptian and Qatari efforts to keep talks going. The second phase would release all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, making the cessation of hostilities permanent if Hamas fulfilled its commitments. The third would begin major reconstruction and return remaining hostage remains. He argues that Hamas can no longer repeat October 7, criticizes Israeli coalition members who favor indefinite war and occupation, and urges Israeli leaders to support the proposal. He warns that pursuing indefinite total victory would drain Israel, deepen its isolation and fail to bring hostages home. He describes conditional possibilities for calm on the Lebanese border, U.S.-assisted diplomacy, Gaza reconstruction without Hamas rearming, Saudi normalization, regional security cooperation and a better Palestinian future. He also says Israel could resume military operations if Hamas breached the deal and that the United States would help ensure Israeli compliance. He calls on Hamas to accept and on Israel to give negotiators sufficient flexibility. Recalling Israeli and Palestinian suffering, the Rafah fire and recent aid deliveries, he urges public support to end the war. These are Biden's assessments, proposed terms and conditional possibilities; the appearance does not establish an agreed or implemented ceasefire. On departure, Kelly O'Donnell asks about Trump's political-prisoner description and blame of Biden; unidentified reporters ask about campaign effects and ballot eligibility. No verbal answer is recorded.

In the White House State Dining Room on May 31, Biden publicly outlines what he describes as a new Israeli three-phase ceasefire and hostage-release proposal, transmitted by Qatar to Hamas. A six-week initial ceasefire would bring withdrawal from populated areas, hostage and prisoner releases, civilian return and increased aid. Negotiations would seek a permanent end to hostilities, with the ceasefire continuing while talks continued. A second phase would release remaining living hostages and withdraw Israeli forces, conditional on Hamas keeping its commitments; a third would bring reconstruction and return remaining hostage remains. Biden acknowledges unresolved terms, urges Hamas to accept and Israeli leaders to support the proposal, and criticizes advocates of indefinite war. He argues Hamas can no longer repeat October 7 and describes possible wider diplomatic benefits. He also says Israel could resume operations if Hamas breached the deal and that the United States would help ensure Israeli compliance. His security assessment and regional possibilities remain attributed; this announcement does not establish acceptance, implementation or a separate Lebanon or Saudi agreement.