Qatar and Egypt, the principal guarantors of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, have issued a joint call for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian territory. The mediators state this move, alongside the deployment of an international stabilisation force, is the essential next step to secure the peace deal's future.
Critical Moment for Ceasefire Implementation
The demands were made clear during the annual Doha Forum diplomatic conference on Saturday. The Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, declared the peace process was at a "critical moment." He emphasised that a lasting ceasefire could not be achieved without a full Israeli military pullback and the restoration of stability in Gaza.
The current truce, brokered with US assistance, halted intense fighting but remains delicate. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other of violating its terms. The agreement's first phase involved Israeli forces pulling back behind a designated "yellow line" inside Gaza, while Hamas released living hostages and handed over the remains of most who had died.
Sticking Points and Proposed Solutions
Major obstacles have emerged regarding the implementation of the deal's second phase, which has not yet begun. A central point of contention is the future of Hamas's weaponry. The US-backed peace plan, endorsed by the UN in November, requires the group to disarm.
However, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, stated on Saturday the group was prepared to place its weapons under the authority of a Palestinian state, but only on the condition that the Israeli occupation ends. "Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression," he said.
Under the proposed roadmap, following an Israeli withdrawal, Gaza would be administered by a transitional "Board of Peace" and an international stabilisation force would deploy. Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, stressed the urgency of this force's deployment, accusing Israel of daily ceasefire violations.
International Force and Regional Hesitations
Discussions about the composition and command structure of the proposed international force are ongoing. Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, told the forum its primary goal should be to separate Palestinians from Israelis. He argued that disarming Hamas should not be the immediate priority, urging the US to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the plan's success.
While Turkey has expressed interest in contributing, many Arab and Muslim nations are hesitant to join a force that might end up confronting Palestinian militants. The peace plan also calls for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt for aid delivery. A dispute flared after Israel said it would only open it for departures from Gaza, a claim Egypt denied, insisting it must be open for two-way humanitarian traffic.
Sheikh Mohammed concluded that the guarantor nations were working to "force the way forward" for the temporary next phase, but ultimately sought a lasting solution that delivered justice for all parties.
