'Long past time for suffering to end': Harris urges all parties to back Biden's ceasefire plan

27/05/204 Dublin Ireland. Launch of Fine Gael local and European election manifestos. Taoiseach and Party Leader Simon Harris at the launch of Fine GaelÕs European and Local Election manifestos at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Le Pole Square, Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said it is "long past time for the suffering to end" in Gaza and is urging all parties to give US President Joe Biden's ceasefire plan "serious and positive consideration."

On Friday, Mr Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the nearly eight-month war.

Mr Biden said Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel, as he urged Israelis and Hamas to come to a deal to release remaining hostages for an extended ceasefire.

Speaking from the White House, he called the proposal “a road map to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages”.

Responding to Mr Biden's plan, the Taoiseach says he too has "long called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access for aid into Gaza".

In a statement he said: "After almost eight months of conflict and suffering, there is a plan on the table that can move us closer to securing those goals and that can help create space to build a just and lasting peace and two-state solution.

"I call on all parties to give the plan presented by President Biden serious and positive consideration."

According to Mr Harris, this is an opportunity that "should not be missed."

Mr Biden said the first phase of the proposed deal would last for six weeks and would include a “full and complete ceasefire”, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

American hostages would be released at this stage, and the remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families.

Humanitarian assistance would surge during the first phase, with 600 trucks being allowed into Gaza each day.

The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.

“And as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire would become, in the words of the Israeli proposals, ‘the cessation of hostilities permanently’,” Mr Biden said.

The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war. The Israeli proposal was transmitted to Hamas on Thursday.

But Mr Biden acknowledged that keeping the deal on track would be difficult, saying there are a number of “details to negotiate” to move from the first phase to the second.

One roadblock to overcome during the first phase would involve the two sides agreeing on a ratio of hostages to prisoners to be released during the next phase, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Mr Biden’s remarks came as the Israeli military confirmed that its forces are now operating in central parts of Rafah in its expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city.

Mr Biden called it “a truly decisive moment”.

- Additional reporting by AP