Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief foreign policy advisor has indicated that a framework deal is in the works to wind down the Israel-Hamas war in three stages. However, there are still numerous details that need to be ironed out before a final agreement can be reached. Netanyahu has emphasized that the conditions for ending the war have not changed despite the ongoing negotiations.
Meanwhile, President Biden is expected to announce executive actions related to the southern border before his upcoming trip to Normandy, France. The specifics of these actions have not been disclosed yet, but they are anticipated to be revealed before the President's departure for Normandy on Tuesday. There are currently no plans for President Biden to visit the southern border this week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has criticized the anticipated executive actions, labeling them as 'too little too late' and attributing the border situation to intentional actions that will have long-lasting negative consequences for the country.
Regarding the Gaza conflict, President Biden unveiled a three-phase Israeli proposal aimed at resolving the war. While there is some debate over the ownership of this peace process, the White House has referred to it as the 'Israeli plan,' while a former U.S. Ambassador to Israel under President Trump has labeled it as the 'Hamas proposal' from four months ago.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the Israeli proposal has been presented to Hamas, with the hope that the first phase of the plan can commence promptly upon Hamas' agreement. The top Democrat in the House has referred to this as the 'Biden plan' and expressed hope that Prime Minister Netanyahu will align with the Israeli war cabinet's unanimous adoption of the plan.
Critics of the peace plan have highlighted a major sticking point, which is the proposal's allowance for Hamas to retain control of Gaza, while Israel seeks the complete dismantling of Hamas.
