Egypt's Diplomatic Chief Calls On Hamas to Agree to Trump's Gaza Strip Peace Plan and Lay Down Arms
Egypt and Qatar are currently engaged in diplomatic moves to urge the Palestinian faction to accept Donald Trump's ultimatum to stop the conflict in Gaza, per the Egyptian foreign minister.
Increasing Diplomatic Pressure on Hamas
Egypt's foreign minister stated that the time had come for Hamas to disarm and refrain from offering Israeli forces any justification to persist in its operations in the region, where numerous civilians were lost their lives on recently.
“Hamas should not be used as an excuse for the relentless killing of innocents, a situation that has worsened significantly since last year,” Abdelatty stated.
He added that Cairo is “coordinating with our brothers in Qatar and with our colleagues in Turkey in order to convince Hamas to respond positively to this plan”.
Details of the US Initiative
The initiative would demand the group to:
- Surrender weapons and cease political involvement
- Release the remaining 48 hostages from the previous year's events, 20 of whom are believed to be living
In exchange, Israel would:
- Phase out its military from Gaza
- Be replaced by an international force
- Allow a interim administration headed by Trump
Experts concur that the plan would effectively terminate the group's role as an militant organization, while the Israeli side would give little ground.
Internal Divisions within Hamas
The organization is divided over its reaction, with certain officials requesting more time to review the terms.
The head of Hamas’s military wing has resisted the proposal, considering it a tactic to eliminate Hamas regardless of they comply.
Insiders indicate that Hamas is expected to request changes regarding:
- The requirement to lay down arms
- Continued presence of Israeli forces in the area
- Assurances that the Hamas leaders will not be attacked
Civilian Suffering Intensifies
Israeli forces continued its operations in the northern area and airstrikes across the region on Friday, killing numerous civilians.
Several of the those killed were in the northern city, while the rest died in southern Gaza, with three in an unmanned aircraft attack in a southern area, which had been once declared a protected space.
The Israeli military issued its final warning for Gaza City on earlier this week, with the defence minister announcing that anyone remaining would be considered a terrorist or terrorist supporter, a classification that contradicts international law.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the city, many of whom who are unable to pay for the journey to the south, which is said to cost more than $1,000.
“Numerous civilians are stranded on roadsides, awaiting shelter,” said an aid official.
The UN declared that there is no safe place for those escaping the city, as areas declared as secure areas in southern Gaza are dangerous.
A UN official labeled the idea of secure areas as “absurd”, adding that explosives are dropped with “chilling predictability” and schools designated as temporary shelters are often destroyed.
Healthcare System under Severe Strain
Healthcare centers in southern Gaza are operating beyond capacity, with the aid clinic serving over twice its designed patient load.
Recently, al-Nasser hospital took in 27 bodies of people shot dead by the troops.
A senior doctor referred to the circumstances as “very hard”.
Israeli forces has been accused of striking healthcare facilities and staff, with a nurse said to be detained while traveling to work in Khan Younis.
Authorities has previously claimed that apprehended doctors had links with the group, though offering no substantiation.
Total casualties from the conflict in the strip has amounted to over 62,000 Palestinians fatally injured and about 170,000 wounded, per the Gaza health authority.