Mediators in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza are pushing for the next step in a three-phase ceasefire deal.
This comes amid talks on the next phase of a US-backed plan to end the two-year war in the Palestinian territory that began due to a Hamas-led terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
What have Qatar and Egypt said
“We are at a critical moment. It is not there yet. So what we have done is a pause,” Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Saturday at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference.
“We cannot consider this a ceasefire yet. A ceasefire cannot be accomplished until there is a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces – [until] “There is stability in Gaza, people can go in and out – which is not the situation today,” al-Thani said.
The first phase sees Israeli forces deployed in northern Gaza withdraw behind the so-called Yellow Line. This also includes the release of Israeli hostages.
Under the second phase of the agreement – which has not yet begun – Israeli forces are to withdraw from positions in the Palestinian territory, an interim authority is to take over governance, and an international stabilization force is to be deployed.
“We need to deploy this force on the ground as soon as possible because one side, which is Israel, is violating the ceasefire every day,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellatty said at the Doha Forum.
Muslim and Arab nations are hesitant to join the stabilization force. NATO member Türkiye, which is also the force’s guarantor, has expressed interest in joining the force.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the forum on Saturday that the disarmament of Hamas, another condition for truth, should not be the main priority at the moment.
where things stood
Hamas has returned all 20 surviving hostages left in the area, along with 27 bodies, in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian captives and convicted prisoners. One more body is yet to be returned.
On Thursday, the Israeli delegation held talks in Cairo on the return of the last hostage kept in Gaza, completing the initial part of US President Donald Trump’s plan.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations since the first phase of the ceasefire began on October 10.
The ceasefire has largely ended the two-year war, but Israel continues attacks on Gaza, often saying it is targeting Hamas infrastructure.
Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the enclave since a ceasefire took effect in October. During that time, three Israeli soldiers also died.
During this time, israel time A US official was reported to have told the publication that Washington intends to announce a move to phase two in the coming weeks.
edited by: Rana Taha