“During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get phase two, which is a permanent end of the war,” Biden said.

Biden vowed that even if the negotiations for a permanent end take longer than a month and a half, both parties would hold to a ceasefire, with leaders in the Middle East committed to keep those negotiations moving forward.

Phase two would include an exchange of remaining living hostages, including male soldiers. Remaining Israeli forces would be withdrawn from Gaza, Biden said. Earlier, documents released by senior Hamas officials said Israeli troops would withdraw to Gaza’s “perimeter.”

During phase three, the remains of dead hostages would be returned home and reconstruction plans for Gaza would begin.