Egyptian Diplomatic Chief Urges the Palestinian Group to Agree to Trump's Gaza Strip Peace Plan and Lay Down Arms
Cairo and Doha are actively pursuing diplomatic moves to urge Hamas to agree to the former US president's demand to end the conflict in Gaza, according to Egypt's foreign minister.
Increasing Pressure on Hamas
Egypt's foreign minister emphasized that the opportunity is now for the organization to disarm and avoid providing Israel any pretext to persist in its military campaign in the region, where numerous civilians were killed on recently.
âWe must avoid providing any justification for ongoing civilian casualties, which have escalated far beyond the events of October 7th,â the minister remarked.
The diplomat noted that Cairo is âcoordinating with our brothers in Qatar and with our colleagues in Turkey in order to convince Hamas to respond positively to this planâ.
Details of the US Initiative
The plan would require Hamas to:
- Disarm and cease political involvement
- Return the hostages still held from the 2023 attack, with 20 are thought to survive
In exchange, Israel would:
- Pull back its troops from the territory
- Substituted by an global peacekeeping unit
- Allow a interim administration under Trump
Observers concur that the initiative would spell an end to its existence as an militant organization, while the Israeli side would offer limited compromises.
Split Opinions within the Faction
Hamas is reportedly split over its reaction, with some members requesting more time to consider the deal.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad has opposed the proposal, seeing it as a tactic to eliminate Hamas regardless of they agree.
Sources close to the group report that Hamas is inclined to seek modifications regarding:
- Disarmament terms
- Continued presence of soldiers in the area
- Safeguards that the Hamas leaders will not be targeted
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Israel persisted in its military actions in Gaza City and shelling across the territory on Friday, killing two dozen individuals.
Eleven of the casualties were in Gaza City, while the rest perished in the south, with three in an aerial attack in al-Masawi, which had been previously designated a secure area.
Israel issued its final warning for Gaza City on Wednesday, with the defence minister declaring that individuals left would be deemed affiliated with armed groups, a designation that contradicts international law.
Hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped in the urban area, including those who cannot afford the evacuation to southern Gaza, which is said to cost over a thousand dollars.
âCountless individuals are forced to sleep outdoors while seeking refuge,â commented an aid official.
The UN reported that there is no protected area for people fleeing Gaza City, as locations labeled as âsafe zonesâ in southern Gaza are dangerous.
A UN official labeled the concept of protected spaces as âunrealisticâ, stating that bombs are dropped with âchilling predictabilityâ and educational buildings designated as temporary shelters are often destroyed.
Hospitals under Extreme Pressure
Healthcare centers in the south are stretched to the limit, with the Red Cross field hospital treating significantly beyond its intended capacity.
On Thursday, one of the last functioning hospitals took in numerous fatalities of people fatally wounded by the troops.
The head of paediatrics referred to the circumstances as âextremely difficultâ.
Israeli forces has been alleged to be targeting doctors and clinics, with a nurse allegedly detained while heading to her job in the area.
Authorities has often stated that arrested medical officials had connections to the group, though without providing evidence.
Fatalities from hostilities in Gaza has reached over 62,000 civilians killed and approximately 170,000 hurt, according to the Gaza health authority.