Ruto backs Biden’s peace plan to end Israel-Palestine conflict
President William Ruto has expressed his endorsement of the Israel-Palestine peace plan proposed by US President Joe Biden.
In his statement on Monday, June 3, 2024, Ruto welcomed the comprehensive roadmap aimed at resolving the escalating conflict between the two nations.
"The roadmap put forward by President Joe Biden offers a promising framework to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine," Ruto stated.
"Jointly initiated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the plan outlines a series of measures to de-escalate tensions and facilitate humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected individuals," he added.
The proposed plan includes a six-week ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages and remains, as well as the return of Palestinians to North Gaza and access to essential humanitarian aid.
Ruto emphasized the importance of strong support from Israeli and Palestinian leadership, as well as all parties committed to peace, in order to ensure the success of the plan.
He highlighted the significant human suffering caused by the conflict and urged cooperation towards its resolution.
"If this plan is earnestly embraced and adhered to, it has the potential to lay the groundwork for a lasting ceasefire and the eventual implementation of a two-state solution," Ruto asserted. 
"A stable and just resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict would contribute to peace and security in the region and beyond," he added.
The peace plan
President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024, announced a three-phase peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Palestine conflict that broke out following Hamas' unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, that left more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals dead.
In his speech, Biden made a significant declaration, asserting that Hamas, the militant group in Gaza, has been sufficiently weakened to the point where it cannot carry out attacks similar to those that initiated the ongoing conflict in the region.
In what appeared to be his most assertive stance yet, Biden suggested that Israel has achieved its primary objectives in the conflict and that the time has come to halt the fighting as part of a broader negotiation, particularly focusing on the release of hostages.
He went on to present the Israeli proposal, which spans three phases and includes the release of hostages alongside a comprehensive ceasefire, as the most promising avenue for bringing stability to Gaza.
According to Biden, the Israeli proposal was communicated earlier in the week.
The initial phase, slated for six weeks, involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated regions of Gaza and the release of a select number of hostages, encompassing women, elderly, and wounded individuals, in exchange for the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Phase two encompasses the exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers.
"And provided that Hamas adheres to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire would transition, as outlined in the Israeli plan, into a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden elaborated.
In the final phase, Biden detailed, a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence, and the remains of any remaining hostages who have perished will be repatriated to their families.
