Summary

  • US President Joe Biden has outlined a new Israeli proposal to end the conflict in Gaza, saying "it's time for this war to end"

  • He sets out a three-stage roadmap - involving a six-week ceasefire that would become permanent and then the rebuilding of Gaza with international assistance

  • Biden acknowledges negotiations between phase one and two would be difficult

  • But he urges Hamas to "take the deal", while also pressing all Israeli political leaders to do the same

  • He adds Palestinian and Israeli leaders need to come together to rebuild Gaza, without allowing Hamas to re-arm

  • Israeli forces are currently in central Rafah, in Gaza's south, but earlier this week the White House said the IDF had not crossed any red lines set by Biden

  • On Sunday, an Israeli strike and a resulting fire killed at least 45 Palestinians in Rafah, sparking international outrage

Live Reporting

Edited by Tiffany Wertheimer

  1. Biden outlines first phase of Israel's ceasefire proposal

    Biden says Israel's proposal has three phases. The first phase would last for six weeks, he says.

    It would include:

    • a "full and complete ceasefire"
    • the withdrawal of Israeli forces "from all populated areas of Gaza"
    • the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded
    • this would be in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

    Biden says Palestinian civilians could return to their homes in all areas of Gaza, and humanitarian assistance would surge.

  2. US relentlessly focused on end to Israel-Gaza war - Biden

    Now Biden moves on to the Middle East, saying the US has been relentlessly focused on a durable end to the war and getting the hostages home.

    He says the US wants to create a "better day after" in Gaza without Hamas, as well as security for Israel.

    Biden says Israel has offered a new proposal, a roadmap to a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

    It has been submitted to Hamas via Qatar, he says. Now Biden is setting out its terms.

  3. Reckless to say justice system rigged, Biden says after Trump conviction

    President Joe Biden begins with remarks on Donald Trump's guilty conviction in New York, praising the US criminal justice system as the "cornerstone of America".

    "It's reckless, it's dangerous and it's irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don't like the verdict," he says.

  4. Biden begins speaking

    Joe Biden

    Joe Biden has just started his news conference - he is expected to make a statement on the Middle East.

    Stick with us for updates.

  5. What is happening in Gaza now?

    Smoke rising over GazaEPA

    Air strikes against targets in Rafah have been carried out in recent days

    Biden's statement comes as Israel presses ahead with its military operation in Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza.

    Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have taken control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategically important thin strip of land which separates Gaza from Egypt.

    It comes after dozens were killed in an Israeli air strike near Rafah on Sunday, which triggered a fire that engulfed tents where displaced people were sheltering.

    The US and other allies of Israel had urged its government not to press ahead with the operation because of the high risk of civilian deaths.

    Meanwhile, IDF troops have pulled out of Jabalia in northern Gaza, after a three-week offensive there which saw tens of thousands of civilians flee the area.

  6. Welcome

    Tiffany Wertheimer
    US Reporter

    Thank you for joining our live coverage of Joe Biden's statement from the White House.

    The US president is set to give remarks on the Middle East.

    Stick with us as we bring you all the latest updates.