Egypt's Foreign Minister Urges the Palestinian Group to Embrace the US Gaza Strip Peace Plan and Lay Down Arms

Cairo and Doha are working on efforts to persuade Hamas to comply with the former US president's demand to stop the conflict in the Gaza Strip, per the Egyptian top diplomat.

Increasing Diplomatic Pressure on Hamas

Badr Abdelatty emphasized that the moment has arrived for Hamas to surrender arms and refrain from offering Israeli forces any justification to persist in its military campaign in Gaza, where numerous civilians were killed on recently.

“Let’s not give any excuse for one party to use Hamas as a pretext for this mad daily killings of civilians. What’s happening is far beyond the 7th of October,” Abdelatty stated.

The diplomat noted 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”.

Key Points of the US Initiative

This proposal would necessitate the group to:

  • Surrender weapons and cease political involvement
  • Release the remaining 48 hostages from the October incident, with 20 are thought to survive

In return, Israel would:

  • Phase out its forces from Gaza
  • Be replaced by an international force
  • Accept a interim administration under the former president

Observers believe that the plan would lead to the dissolution of its existence as an fighting force, while Israel would make few concessions.

Split Opinions within Hamas

The group is reportedly split over how to respond, with factions asking for a delay to review the terms.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad has objected to the proposal, seeing it as a move to eradicate the group if they comply.

Those familiar with the matter indicate that Hamas is expected to request changes regarding:

  • Weapons surrender
  • Continued presence of soldiers in the area
  • Safeguards that the group’s leadership will not be targeted

Humanitarian Crisis Deteriorates

Israeli forces persisted in its operations in Gaza City and airstrikes across the region on Friday, killing two dozen individuals.

Several of the those killed were in Gaza City, while the rest were killed in the south, including three in an unmanned aircraft attack in a southern area, which had been once declared a safe zone.

Israel issued its ultimate directive for Gaza City on Wednesday, with the defence minister stating that individuals left would be deemed affiliated with armed groups, a classification that contradicts global norms.

A vast number of civilians remain stranded in the city, with numerous who lack the means for the trip to southern Gaza, which allegedly requires over a thousand dollars.

“Many people are left to sleep along the roads until they can find shelter,” stated a Red Cross spokesperson.

The UN declared that there is nowhere secure for those escaping Gaza City, as zones designated as protected spaces in southern Gaza are lethal.

A UN official described the idea of secure areas as “farcical”, noting that bombs are launched with frightening frequency and schools designated as refuges are often destroyed.

Hospitals under Extreme Pressure

Medical facilities in the south are operating beyond capacity, with the medical unit serving over twice its intended capacity.

Recently, al-Nasser hospital received 27 bodies of people fatally wounded by the Israeli military.

Dr Ahmad al-Farra characterized the circumstances as “very hard”.

Israel has been reported as attacking doctors and clinics, with healthcare professional reportedly taken while traveling to work in a southern city.

Authorities has previously claimed that detained healthcare workers had ties to Hamas, though offering no substantiation.

The overall death toll from Israel’s war in Gaza has climbed to at least 62,622 Palestinians fatally injured and about 170,000 wounded, as reported by the Gaza health authority.

Justin Hart
Justin Hart

A passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering local and international events in Rome.