Egypt and Qatar are actively pursuing attempts to convince Hamas to agree to the former US president's ultimatum to end the war in the Gaza Strip, per the Egyptian top diplomat.
Increasing Diplomatic Pressure on the Group
Egypt's foreign minister emphasized that the time had come for Hamas to disarm and not give Israeli forces any excuse to prolong its operations in Gaza, where 28 Palestinians were killed on Friday.
“Hamas should not be used as an excuse for the relentless killing of innocents, a situation that has worsened significantly since last year,” the minister stated.
The diplomat explained that Egypt is “working alongside Qatar and Turkey to encourage Hamas to accept the proposal”.
Details of the Peace Plan
This proposal would demand Hamas to:
- Lay down its arms and withdraw from political activities
- Hand over the captives in custody from the 2023 attack, with 20 are thought to survive
In return, Israel would:
- Gradually withdraw its forces from the territory
- Be replaced by an international force
- Support a temporary government headed by the former president
Experts agree that the initiative would spell an end to the group's role as an militant organization, while Israel would make few concessions.
Internal Divisions within Hamas
The organization is divided over how to respond, with factions seeking additional time to evaluate the proposal.
A senior commander has resisted the plan, seeing it as a move to eradicate the group whether or not they comply.
Insiders indicate that the faction is likely to propose amendments regarding:
- The requirement to lay down arms
- Continued presence of soldiers in the area
- Safeguards that the Hamas leaders will not be pursued
Civilian Suffering Intensifies
Israeli forces continued its operations in the northern area and bombardment across the wider strip on Friday, killing numerous civilians.
Eleven of the victims were in Gaza City, while the others died in the south, among them three in an aerial attack in al-Masawi, which had been once declared a safe zone.
Israel issued its final warning for Gaza City on earlier this week, with the top defense official stating that anyone remaining would be deemed affiliated with armed groups, a label that violates humanitarian standards.
Numerous of civilians remain stranded in the city, many of whom who lack the means for the trip to the south, which reportedly costs more than $1,000.
“Countless individuals are forced to sleep outdoors while seeking refuge,” commented Sarah Davies.
United Nations agencies said that there is no protected area for people fleeing the city, as zones declared as secure areas in the south are dangerous.
James Elder labeled the idea of secure areas as “unrealistic”, adding that explosives are dropped with “chilling predictability” and schools designated as safe havens are regularly reduced to rubble.
Medical Services under Severe Strain
Healthcare centers in southern Gaza are stretched to the limit, with the Red Cross field hospital serving more than double its normal limits.
Recently, one of the last functioning hospitals took in 27 bodies of people killed by the troops.
Dr Ahmad al-Farra referred to the conditions as “extremely difficult”.
Israel has been alleged to be attacking hospitals and medical workers, with healthcare professional allegedly “abducted” while heading to her job in the area.
Israel has asserted that apprehended doctors had connections to the group, though lacking proof.
The overall death toll from hostilities in Gaza has amounted to at least 62,622 Palestinians fatally injured and nearly 170,000 injured, per the Gaza health authority.
