Egyptian Foreign Minister Pressures Hamas to Accept the US Gaza Proposal and Disarm

Cairo and Doha are working on efforts to persuade Hamas to agree to Donald Trump's demand to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, according to Egypt's foreign minister.

Growing Diplomatic Pressure on Hamas

Egypt's foreign minister emphasized that the opportunity is now for the organization to surrender arms and avoid providing Israel any justification to persist in its offensive in Gaza, where 28 Palestinians were killed on Friday.

“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,” the minister remarked.

The diplomat noted that Egypt 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

The initiative would necessitate Hamas to:

  • Lay down its arms and withdraw from political activities
  • Release the captives in custody from the October incident, 20 of whom are thought to survive

In exchange, Israeli authorities would:

  • Gradually withdraw its troops from Gaza
  • Substituted by an multinational troops
  • Allow a transitional authority led by the former president

Experts agree that the proposal would spell an end to Hamas’s identity as an militant organization, while Israel would give little ground.

Internal Divisions within Hamas

Hamas is reportedly split over the appropriate answer, with factions seeking additional time to review the terms.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad has opposed the plan, considering it a strategy to destroy Hamas if they comply.

Insiders indicate that the faction is likely to propose amendments regarding:

  • The requirement to lay down arms
  • Remaining troops of Israeli forces in the area
  • Guarantees that the Hamas leaders will not be targeted

Civilian Suffering Worsens

Israel carried on its offensive in Gaza City and shelling across the territory on Friday, claiming the lives of numerous civilians.

Several of the those killed were in Gaza City, while the remaining perished in southern Gaza, including three in an unmanned aircraft attack in al-Masawi, which had been earlier labeled a protected space.

Israel issued its last evacuation order for the city on earlier this week, with the top defense official announcing that those who stay would be labeled as militants, a label that contradicts humanitarian standards.

Numerous of residents remain stranded in the urban area, many of whom who are unable to pay for the journey to the south, which is said to cost over a thousand dollars.

“Many people are left to sleep along the roads until they can find shelter,” commented an aid official.

United Nations agencies declared that there is no protected area for those escaping Gaza City, as zones declared as protected spaces in southern Gaza are lethal.

A UNICEF spokesperson called the idea of secure areas as “absurd”, noting that explosives are dropped with “chilling predictability” and schools designated as refuges are regularly reduced to rubble.

Healthcare System under Extreme Pressure

Healthcare centers in southern Gaza are overwhelmed, with the Red Cross field hospital accommodating over twice its normal limits.

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

A senior doctor characterized the situation as “extremely difficult”.

Israel has been alleged to be striking doctors and clinics, with a nurse said to be taken while on duty in a southern city.

Israel has asserted that detained healthcare workers had links with the group, though lacking proof.

Total casualties from Israel’s war in Gaza has climbed to over 62,000 civilians killed and about 170,000 wounded, per the local health officials.

Melody Christensen
Melody Christensen

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.

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